This unit of competency supports individuals responsible for managing sustainability planning.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Inform the development of a plan for sustainability.

1.1 Research into the aspects of sustainability is conducted and analysed.

1.2 Regulations applying to the sustainable operation of the business are identified.

1.3 Procedures for assessing compliance with sustainability regulations are evaluated.

1.4 Concepts of triple bottom line planning, budgeting and reporting are reviewed and used to inform the planning process.

2. Review current sustainable business practices.

2.1 Current business planning is reviewed to identify aspects that reflect sustainable practices.

2.2 Sustainable practices and processes are reviewed and measured to assess current performance.

2.3 Alternative solutions for improved and sustainable operations are evaluated.

3. Prepare a business sustainability plan.

3.1 Objectives and performance measures for the business sustainability plan are identified in consultation with organisation's key staff.

3.2 Market conditions and market potential are analysed to inform plan development.

3.3 Research and industry intelligence are collated and analysed to build understanding of customer and community needs and preferences.

3.4 Competitors' sustainable offerings and market position are identified and reviewed.

3.5 Costings of proposed strategies are determined and included using standard budgetary processes.

3.6 Impact of proposed strategies on the community and the reputation of the business is reviewed and considered in the planning process.

3.7 Environmental impact of the proposed strategies is identified and evaluated to ensure positive outcomes for the business, community and environment.

3.8 Business sustainability plan is prepared using standard organisational procedures and approved by appropriate senior staff.

4. Plan for implementation.

4.1 Performance indicators relevant to the monitoring of plan performance are identified.

4.2 Team members involved in implementation of plan are briefed and ongoing communication channels are established.

4.3 Timelines and resources to support plan implementation are identified and sourced.

Required skills

organisational skills to undertake business and project planning

change-management skills to respond to new opportunities and implement sustainable business solutions

decision-making skills to:

determine costing and their impact

establish performance indicators

select suitable strategies

language, literacy and numeracy skills to:

communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing

compare benchmarks

consult with work group

read and interpret documentation, including:

environment and energy efficiency requirements

resource use

request information

report against identified performance indicators

seek and receive feedback

source, organise and record information

use costing strategies

lateral and creative thinking to:

identify new sustainable business opportunities

strategically analyse information

technology skills to use computer applications

Required knowledge

concepts and models of sustainability, corporate citizenship, and strategic and business planning

ethics regarding the impact of business activity on the community and environment

techniques for financial planning and modelling

governance and accountability models and processes

legislation, regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards that apply to environmental sustainability

overarching organisational strategy, policy and procedures

strategies for:

continuous improvement

effecting outcomes

maximising opportunities

minimising impacts

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed by observing at least two instances of the implementation and monitoring of integrated economic, social and environmental sustainability policies and procedures in an organisation.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.

In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:

research and identify opportunities for improved sustainability within the business

plan for economic, social and environmental business operations

establish and monitor performance indicators for sustainable business operations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include access to:

relevant legislation, standards and guidelines

workplace documentation and personnel

reports from other parties involved in the process of identifying and implementing improvements.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

Guidance information for assessment

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Research data may be sourced from:

'think tanks' and research houses

industry associations

primary research, such as surveys and focus groups

publicly available data, such as Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

regional economic development plans

secondary research, such as national and international literature searches.

Sustainability is broadly defined as having three separate but inter-related components with characteristics including:

economic sustainability, demonstrated by:

cost-effective use of resources

ensuring costs of 'green' solutions are properly accounted for and recovered

growing market share by appealing to socially aware customers

purchasing locally to reduce transport costs

seeking to participate in government schemes that reward or fund sustainable operations

social sustainability, demonstrated by:

building community involvement

communicating benefits of sustainable products and services to customers

purchasing locally and using local and community-based products and services

using 'fair trade' products

environmental sustainability, demonstrated by:

efficient use of resources

eliminating hazardous and toxic materials

identifying strategies to offset or mitigate environmental impacts, such as purchasing carbon credits

making more efficient use of energy

maximising opportunities to re-use and recycle materials

preventing and minimising risks and maximising opportunities, such as use of solar or other alternative forms of energy where appropriate

purchasing renewable energy

reducing emissions of greenhouse gases

reducing use of non-renewable resources

waste reduction.

Compliance includes:

meeting relevant federal, state or territory, and local government laws, by-laws, regulations and codes of practice

addressing voluntary industry benchmarking and certification processes.

Triple bottom line refers to:

methods of planning, monitoring and reporting business operations that measure:

financial performance

social impact and performance

ecological or environmental impact and performance.

Performance indicators may include:

benchmarks achieved against external certification process requirements

costs measured against performance targets

level of:

recycling achieved

reduction of waste

response to marketing and communication strategies

sales achieved measured against performance targets.

Unit sector

Common

This unit contains employability skills.