Project-specific. Approval-ready. Written to be implemented.
A sustainability management plan (SMP) translates organisational and project sustainability commitments into practical, on-the-ground action. For construction and infrastructure projects, it is increasingly a condition of approval, a tender requirement and a contractual obligation, and it needs to be both rigorous enough to satisfy the client or approval body and practical enough to guide the project team.
AES prepares sustainability management plans for projects across Australia. We develop plans that are specific to the project, aligned to client and regulatory requirements, and written to be used by the people responsible for delivering them, not filed away after tender.
Project-specific. Approval-ready. Written to be implemented, not just submitted.
Featured Project
Environmental Management Plans & Inspections
Noosa, Queensland
Applied Environment & Safety provided environmental support to PCA Ground Engineering during road embankment stabilisation works in Noosa, Queensland. These works were important to maintaining the long-term serviceability of the road and drainage infrastructure at this location.
Our role on this project was to provide technical environmental support. This included the development of a Construction Environmental Management Plan, Sediment and Erosion Control Plan, and Rehabilitation Plan. Then we undertook inspections of the works during construction to ensure compliance with the controls for the environmental aspects.
What is a sustainability management plan?
A sustainability management plan is a project-specific document that sets out how sustainability objectives, targets and performance requirements will be managed and delivered during project design, construction and operation. Depending on the project type and client requirements, an SMP may address greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, resource efficiency across water, materials and waste, biodiversity and land management, social and community outcomes, and sustainability ratings compliance such as the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) Rating Tool.
SMPs are commonly required by infrastructure clients including state and local government agencies, major private project owners, financiers and rating scheme administrators as a condition of project approval or contract award. They may also be prepared voluntarily as part of a project team’s sustainability strategy and supply chain obligations.
Without a structured SMP, sustainability commitments made at the tender or approval stage can be difficult to track, verify and report on, creating exposure for both the contractor and the project owner when performance is assessed at close-out.
What we include
AES prepares complete, submission-ready sustainability management plans, including:
- review of project sustainability obligations, client specifications and rating scheme requirements
- project sustainability objective and target development
- management measures for key sustainability topics including emissions, energy, water, waste, materials and biodiversity
- roles and responsibilities matrix
- performance monitoring and reporting framework
- sub-plan integration, for example a Waste Management Plan or Energy Management Plan
- alignment with ISC Rating Tool criteria where applicable
- approval-ready formatting and document structure for client submission
Industries We Support
Applied Environment & Safety prepares sustainability management plans for projects across a range of industries.
Power & Renewables
With vast experience within the power & renewables industry, we understand the risks and opportunities.
Mining & Resources
We provide environmental and safety consulting support to exploration and production operations within the mining and resources industry.
Transport & Civil Works
Our experience in environmental and safety management provides practical support to our clients within the transport & civil works.
Why Work With Applied Environment & Safety
We deliver sustainability management plans that are practical, focused and directly useful for project delivery. Our team understands that an SMP is a working document. It needs to be specific enough to guide the project team, structured enough to satisfy the client or approval body, and clear enough that compliance can be demonstrated at project completion.
We work quickly and efficiently, drawing on our experience across infrastructure, construction and development projects to produce plans that are tailored to your project’s scale, sector and sustainability obligations. We do not apply generic templates where a project-specific approach is required, and we do not add unnecessary scope or cost to what should be a focused, outcome-driven document.
We also practise what we preach. AES is a certified carbon neutral organisation. We measure, report and offset our own emissions each year, so our advice is grounded in first-hand experience.
Discuss your sustainability management plan requirements
Tell us about your project. Our team will come back to you within one business day to discuss how AES can prepare a sustainability management plan that delivers.
Contact our team today to discuss your project requirements.
Other Sustainability Services
Sustainability Reporting
Carbon Accounting
Materiality Assessment
NGER Reporting
Environmental Impact Assessment
View All Sustainability Services
Resources & Insights
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Revegetation
When we talk about revegetation, the conversation often focuses on plants, seed mixes, and vegetation cover. But successful rehabilitation is about much more than getting plants back into the ground. Revegetation to Ecosystem Restoration One of the most overlooked aspects of ecosystem restoration is the reinstatement of habitat features such as woody debris, fallen timber,…
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Volunteer Day
This year, the Applied Environment & Safety team spent our annual volunteer day at The Salvation Army’s textile recovery facility in Carole Park, Brisbane. This is part of Project Boomerang, an Australian‑first initiative aimed at building a circular textiles economy in south‑east Queensland. Textiles Waste – Project Boomberang Australia sends around 200,000 tonnes of clothing…
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Applied Environment & Safety Welcomes John Peeters
Applied Environment & Safety is pleased to welcome John Peeters to the team as a Senior Environmental Consultant. John brings more than 30 years’ experience across the energy and infrastructure sectors in senior environmental management roles. He is recognised for his accuracy in research, his strong understanding of environmental legislation, and his ability to translate…
FAQ’s
Common questions from project teams about sustainability management plans.
A sustainability management plan (SMP) is a project-specific document that sets out how sustainability objectives, targets and performance requirements will be managed and delivered during project design, construction and operation.
SMPs are commonly required by infrastructure clients including state and local government agencies, major private project owners, financiers and rating scheme administrators as a condition of project approval or contract award. They may also be prepared voluntarily as part of a project team’s sustainability strategy.
Depending on the project and client requirements, an SMP addresses greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, resource efficiency across water, materials and waste, biodiversity and land management, social and community outcomes, and sustainability ratings compliance, along with roles and responsibilities and a performance monitoring framework.
Yes. AES prepares SMPs aligned to Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) Rating Tool criteria where applicable, along with client-specific sustainability specifications and tender requirements.


