Halesowen College

Certificate in Understanding Environmental Sustainability – Level 2

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Course code

A72081A

Why study this course?

This course is perfect for anyone who would like to develop their knowledge and understanding of a range of topics relating to environmental sustainability including control of global warming, reducing carbon emissions, alternative energy sources, conservation, environmental monitoring and energy management. The qualification forms part of a wide-ranging strategy of sustainability improvement.

Course content

Unit 1: Principles of sustainable development In this unit learners will cover:

The definition of sustainable development
Human and global issues that impact sustainability
Common objections to sustainable development
Benefits of sustainable development and environmental management systems
The impact that organisations and the environment can have on each other
How a carbon footprint is calculated
How to manage carbon footprint in an organisation
How to reduce carbon footprint in an organisation and at home
What ‘resource efficiency’ means
Benefits of using resources efficiently
Circular sustainability
Consequences of organisations polluting the environment
How organisations help prevent pollution
How management structure can support environmental sustainability
How employees can help support environmental sustainability

Unit 2: Principles of sustainable communities In this unit learners will cover:

The definition of ‘sustainable community’
What is required for a community to be sustainable
The local and global benefits of a sustainable community
Resources that can be used to support community development proposals
Sources of support for implementing sustainable development in a community
Engaging with sources of support for development proposals

Unit 3: Principles of sustainable energy management In this unit learners will cover:

The definition of sustainable energy management
Legislation and international agreements relating to sustainable energy management
Energy conservation techniques
The contribution of renewable energy sources to sustainable energy management
How energy saving can be monitored
How to manage energy usage
How to set targets for energy saving

Unit 4: Social responsibility of businesses in relation to sustainability In this unit learners will cover:

What is meant by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
The importance of social responsibility in businesses for sustainability
Why businesses might take action to improve social responsibility
The Triple Bottom Line (TBL)
How the TBL can impact sustainability
Greenwashing
The impacts of greenwashing on society
The implications of greenwashing on organisations

Unit 5: Principles of waste management In this unit learners will cover:

Types of waste
Characteristics of different types of waste
Factors which influence the quantity of waste produced by an organisation
Legislation relevant to waste management
Public and private sector organisations that have a role in waste management
The need to manage and minimise waste
How waste can be used
How waste management can be promoted
Methods for disposal of reusable or recyclable waste
Methods for disposal of waste that is not reusable or recyclable
How to dispose of waste safely

Unit 6: Principles of sustainable transport In this unit learners will cover:

What sustainable transport means
Sustainable transport methods
The importance of reducing transport vehicles
Vehicle fuels not derived from petroleum
Factors to consider when assessing alternative fuels as sustainable options
Economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainable fuels
Economic, environmental and social benefits of reducing the use of vehicles
Ways organisations use and interact with transport systems
Impact of transport on the environment
How organisations can incentivise staff to reduce transport use
Incentives that can be offered to the public and transport providers to reduce vehicle use
Schemes to penalise vehicle use
Barriers that may inhibit the public from reducing vehicle use
Types of leisure travel
Sustainable options for leisure travel
Carbon dioxide emissions of different transport types
The impact of carbon dioxide emissions of different transport types
Methods to promote more sustainable transport.

Unit 7: Sustainability applied in own setting (optional) In this unit learners will cover:

The purpose of carbon audits
Carrying out a carbon audit in own setting
Planning sustainability improvements based on the carbon audit
What is meant by ‘zero waste’
Evaluating a zero waste approach in own setting and creating an action plan
How to address sustainability issues in own setting
Sources of support when addressing sustainability issues
Impacts on sustainability when working from home compared to working in a workplace
Energy efficiency and transportation audit
Challenges that may be faced when addressing sustainability issues in own setting