This unit describes a complex business management skill necessary to ensure environmentally sustainable business operations within the service industries and applies to the full range of industry sectors and environments. Sustainability policies can have a broad focus, incorporating environmental, economic and social impacts of operations or can focus on one or more of these aspects.

The unit has particular application to the retail, sport and recreation, accommodation, tour operating and attractions sectors and to those tourism products and services that are delivered in environmentally and culturally sensitive areas. Many would be nature, ecotourism or culturally-based experiences.

The development of sustainability policies may apply to the whole enterprise, to a series of activities within an enterprise, or to one-off major activities, such as an event.

The unit applies to senior managerial personnel who operate autonomously, have responsibility for others and who will be responsible for making strategic decisions on establishing and reviewing various business management practices across the organisation.

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ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Develop workplace sustainability policy.

1.1

Define scope of sustainability policy.

1.2

Identify and consult with stakeholders as a key component of the policy development process and evaluate opportunities for stakeholders to participate in partnership sustainability practices.

1.3

Include in the policy, strategies for minimising resource use, reducing toxic material and hazardous chemical use and employing life cycle management approaches at all stages of work.

1.4

Recommend policy options based on likely effectiveness, timeframes and cost.

1.5

Develop policy that reflects the organisation's commitment to sustainability as an integral part of the business planning and as a business opportunity.

1.6

Agree on appropriate methods of implementation.

1.7

Consider and evaluate relevant inclusions from established industry benchmark standards and codes of conduct.

2

Communicate the policy.

2.1

Promote the policy and its expected outcomes to key stakeholders and agree on implementation.

2.2

Inform those involved in implementing the policy on outcomes to be expected, activities to be undertaken and assigned responsibilities.

2.3

Develop mechanisms and systems to maximise opportunities to capture feedback.

3

Implement the policy.

3.1

Develop and communicate procedures to help implement the policy.

3.2

Implement strategies for continuous improvement in resource efficiency.

3.3

Establish and assign responsibilities relating to record systems for tracking continuous improvements in sustainability approaches.

4

Review policy implementation.

4.1

Document outcomes and provide feedback to key personnel and stakeholders.

4.2

Investigate the success or otherwise of policy.

4.3

Monitor records to identify trends that may require remedial action and to promote continuous improvement of performance.

4.4

Modify policy and procedures to ensure improvements.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

ability to research, analyse and present information

ability to prepare written reports that are concise, well articulated and suited to intended audience

high-level literacy skills to read and interpret complex materials describing legislative and industry regulatory requirements that relate to environmental, economic and cultural sustainability

high-level written literacy skills to develop comprehensive sustainability business management practices and systems inclusive of detailed yet easily accessible policies and procedures

high-level communication skills to conduct consultation with a variety of stakeholders, deal with different points of view and dissenting stakeholders and adjust communication to suit different audiences

ability to work as a member of a team to consult on and validate policy

ability to respond to diversity, including gender and disability.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

components of policies and procedures

policy development processes and practices

consultation and communication mechanisms used by organisations to develop and implement procedural systems

in-depth knowledge of legislation and regulations imposed by relevant land management agencies and federal, state or territory, and local governments and their relevance to the particular industry sector and workplace

how to access industry codes of practice, standards and accreditation scheme requirements; and in-depth knowledge of their contents and organisational compliance requirements

principles, practices and available tools and techniques of sustainability management relevant to the particular industry sector and workplace

best practice approaches relevant to the particular industry sector and workplace

relevant systems and procedures to aid in the achievement of sustainability in the workplace

quality assurance systems relevant to the particular industry sector and workplace

awareness of enterprise policies, procedures and protocols from other related industries

equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity, and OHS implications of policy being developed

general awareness of global environmental issues and environmental ethics

in-depth knowledge of environmental, economic, social or cultural impacts relevant to the particular industry sector and workplace

in-depth knowledge of ways to enhance sustainable work practices, such as minimising impact through efficient and effective:

waste disposal

resource and energy use

involvement of sustainable practices in all areas of operation.

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

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

project or work activities that show the candidate's ability to develop, implement and review strategic and integrated sustainability policies and procedures according to regulatory requirements for a given service industry operation

knowledge of specific and relevant legislative and industry regulatory requirements

knowledge of environmental, economic, social or cultural impacts and issues associated with the candidate's industry sector and the particular environments of operation

project or work activities conducted over a commercially realistic period of time so that the implementation and evaluation aspects of this unit can be assessed; for example, a sustainability policy can be established, evaluated and reviewed.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a service industry operation for which sustainability policies and procedures can be developed, implemented, monitored and reviewed or

access to comprehensive and sufficient information about that operation to allow the candidate to participate fully and actively in developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing sustainability policies and procedures

access to current regulatory documents distributed by key federal, state or territory, and local government agencies, such as plain English legislative publications

access to industry codes, standards and accreditation scheme documentation that outline environmental, economic and social sustainability compliance issues

involvement of key people so that consultative actions can be implemented.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess the practical skills and knowledge required to develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

evaluation of a portfolio that incorporates an entire written sustainability system for an organisation, including such things as policies, procedures, information fact sheets for workers, training plans and a communication strategy

evaluation of reports prepared by the candidate detailing how sustainability policies, systems and procedures were established for a given project or work activity

evaluation of project or work activities conducted in conjunction with an industry operator to allow the candidate to develop policies and procedures for a particular workplace

evaluation of implementation and review processes through interviews with key stakeholders or review of reports

case studies and problem-solving exercises to establish systems, policies and procedures for different workplace sizes and types

direct observation of the candidate reviewing workplace operations with a view to improving contribution to sustainable work practices direct observation of the candidate modelling minimal impact procedures within an environmentally sensitive area

project or case study to analyse appropriate strategies for minimising operational impacts and improving the sustainability of the workplace and local environment

written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of legislative and industry compliance requirements, environmental and social impacts of the operation, and local and regional environmental issues

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SITTPPD004A Plan and implement minimal impact operations

SITTPPD006B Plan and develop ecologically sustainable tourism operations.

Assessing employability skills

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Scope of sustainability policy may include:

integrated approach to sustainability that includes environmental, economic and social aspects, or a narrower one to focus on each aspect individually

parts of the enterprise to which it is to apply, including whether it is for the whole enterprise, one site, one work area or a combination of these

investigation of particular business and market context of the industry and enterprise

addressing sustainability initiatives through reference to standards, guidelines and approaches, such as:

ISO 14001 Environment Management System

life cycle analyses

global reporting initiative

ecological footprint assessment

triple bottom line reporting

product stewardship.

Stakeholders may include:

individuals and groups inside and outside the organisation that have some direct interest in the enterprise's conduct, actions, products and services, including:

employees at all levels of the organisation

customers

suppliers

regulators

other organisations.

Strategies may include:

awareness raising among stakeholders

training staff in principles and techniques of sustainability

promotional and educational activities

conducting audits of energy and waste within initial development of policy and procedures and their subsequent review

minimising environmental impacts through:

technological solutions

education

restricting and minimising use of particular resources

reducing use of energy through energy-saving devices

reducing waste

involving clients, stakeholders and other persons in contributing to sustainable practices.

Sector

Cross-Sector

Environmental Sustainability

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.