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Sustainability is the ability to exist and develop without depleting natural resources for the future. The UN describes it as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations. A society that is Sustainable must be socially responsible and focused on environmental protection and our reality is that we cannot maintain Earths eco-systems without better and more Sustainable choices.
Social Sustainability. Social sustainability includes environmental justice, human health, resource security, and education, among other important social elements of society.
Economic Sustainability. Economic sustainability includes job creation, profitability, and proper accounting of ecosystem services for optimal cost-benefit analyses.
Environmental Sustainability. Environmental sustainability focuses on the well-being of the environment. This pillar includes water quality, air quality, and reduction of environmental stressors, such as greenhouse gas emissions.
If your preference is to to read, we have selected a few articles that relate in differing ways to Sustainability. Read about the controversial Willow Project, how accounting and sustainability are connected, what are the High street to High end retailers doing and how Sport England are making an extra commitment.
If you want to do something a bit more practical, how about a course or quiz on your Carbon footprint? You can also download one of these amazing Apps that help with food sharing in your community, sourcing Tap water anywhere you are in the world and shopping locally with delivery services!
Below is a selection of what some of our clients are doing to have an impact.
Energy usage is kept to a minimum with low energy lamps and ultra low energy lightbulbs
We only purchase paper from renewable ,well managed sources. All of our printers are certified either by the FSC ( Forest Stewardship Council) or the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of the Forest).
Every year we recycle 64.35 tonnes of paper and books, which is then turned into toilet paper. In the last year we generated 320,000 toilet rolls from our recycling activities. All unwanted computer equipment is donated to charities.
At our two largest centres, 0% of our waste goes to a landfill. We have removed all single use plastics from all of our centres and provide cloth GM bags free of charge.
As part of our corporate ethical policy our mission is to reduce the impact of our business activities on the environment.
We donate to the Woodland Trust.
Our core business is based on digital interaction. We minimise travel where possible and all requests for travel are assessed to see if they can be delivered remotely instead.
The nature of our business does require a significant amount of paper. To demonstrate our environmental commitments to learners all our paper is from a renewable source. Vegetable oil is used instead of traditional oil ink. Binders are made using FSC card and can be recycled minus the metal holder with domestic paper recycling.
Learning to stretch our thinking skills is integral to accelerating our development. This is a really important part of the learning process, and gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and show progression in your Apprenticeship.
Here are two challenges for you to pick from- should you choose to accept, this will help you to develop critical thinking, evaluation skills and encourage creativity.
Challenge 1
Evaluate your personal environmental sustainability using the WWF Footprint Calculator to the right. Analyse your results and make two recommendations as to how you will improve your personal footprint. Discuss with your Talent Coach justifying your proposed changes.
Challenge 2
Analyse your organisation's policy on sustainability across all three pillars;
Social Sustainability; includes environmental justice, human health, resource security, and education, among other important social elements of society.
Economic Sustainability; includes job creation, profitability, and proper accounting of ecosystem services for optimal cost-benefit analyses.
Environmental Sustainability; focuses on the well-being of the environment. This pillar includes water quality, air quality, and reduction of environmental stressors, such as greenhouse gas emissions.
Consider the strengths and weaknesses of their policy and how well it achieves all three pillars of sustainability. Make recommendations as to how the organisation could improve its sustainability. Discuss with your Talent Coach justifying your conclusion and recommendations.
Update your Learning Journal in OneFile with your evaluation and your reflections ready to discuss with your Talent Coach at your next review.
Reflective practice is, in its simplest form, thinking about or reflecting on what you do. It’s a really important part of learning from experience.
Within your apprenticeship you will be encouraged to reflect throughout your programme, the reason for this is two-fold.
Regular reflection will accelerate your development and help you to identify areas to develop helping you to constantly move forward.
A summary or log of your reflections on your development will be required as part of your endpoint assessment activities. These reflections should demonstrate your ability to 'critically evaluate' your performance and development.
Reflection is a skill and practice will make it easier, it should also be an enjoyable experience and a chance to concentrate on what you need.
To support you to develop this skill we have gathered a range of resources and articles to help you find a reflective model that works for you.
Click on the button below to access the Reflective Practice page for additional resources.