Unit of competency details

Release 

Comments 

Release 2

New release of this Unit with version 7.0 of BSB07 Business Services Training Package.

Environmental assets italicised and bolded in PC 3.6 AND identified in Range Statement.

Release 1

Initial release of this Unit.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to those with responsibility for a specific area of work or who lead a work group or team. It addresses the knowledge, processes and techniques necessary to implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices, including the development of processes and tools, such as:

• identifying areas for improvement
• developing plans to make improvements
• implementing and monitoring improvements in environmental performance.

A person who demonstrates competence in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to implement and monitor integrated environmental and resource efficiency management policies and procedures within an organisation. Evidence must be strictly relevant to the particular workplace role.

Prerequisite units 

Element 

Performance Criteria 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Investigate current practices in relation to resource usage

1.1 Identify environmental regulations applying to the enterprise

1.2 Analyse procedures for assessing compliance  with environmental/sustainability regulations

1.3 Collect information on environmental and resource efficiency systems and procedures, and provide to the work group where appropriate

1.4 Collect, analyse and organise information from a range of sources  to provide information/advice and tools/resources for improvement opportunities

1.5 Measure and document current resource usage of members of the work group

1.6 Analyse and document current purchasing strategies 

1.7 Analyse current work processes to access information and data to assist in identifying areas for improvement

2. Set targets for improvements

2.1 Seek input from stakeholders, key personnel and specialists 

2.2 Access external sources of information and data as required

2.3 Evaluate alternative solutions to workplace environmental issues

2.4 Set efficiency targets

3. Implement performance improvement strategies

3.1 Source and use appropriate techniques and tools  to assist in achieving efficiency targets

3.2 Apply continuous improvement strategies to own work area of responsibility, including ideas and possible solutions to communicate to the work group and management

3.3 Implement and integrate environmental and resource efficiency improvement plans  for own work group with other operational activities

3.4 Supervise and support team members to identify possible areas for improved practices and resource efficiency in work area

3.5 Seek suggestions  and ideas about environmental and resource efficiency management from stakeholders and act upon where appropriate

3.6 Implement costing strategies to fully utilise environmental assets 

4. Monitor performance

4.1 Use and/or develop evaluation and monitoring, tools and technology

4.2 Document and communicate outcomes to report on efficiency targets to key personnel and stakeholders

4.3 Evaluate strategies and improvement plans

4.4 Set new efficiency targets, and investigate and apply new tools and strategies

4.5 Promote successful strategies and reward participants where possible

Overview of assessment 

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

• knowledge of relevant compliance requirements within work area
• developing plans to make improvements
• planning and organising work group activities in relation to measuring current use and devising strategies to improve usage
• monitoring resource use and improvements for environmental performance relative to work area and supervision
• ensuring appropriate action is taken within work area in relation to environmental/sustainability compliance and potential hazards
• implementing new approaches to work area in an effort to resolve and improve environmental and resource efficiency issues and reporting as required.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• access to an actual workplace or simulated environment
• access to a range of environment/sustainability legislation, standards, guidelines and procedural requirements relevant to specific work area, daily responsibilities and supervision
• access to a range of information, workplace documentation and resources such as compliance obligations, organisation plans, work supervision and responsibilities
• access to reports from other parties involved in the process of identifying and implementing improvements
• evidence is relevant to the particular workplace role, including work area, staff, stakeholders, equipment, systems and documentation.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used t assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
• response to case studies
• review of reports of activities of work group in relation to measuring resource use and developing improvement strategies
• review of work plans outlining approaches to improved practices with documented benchmarks
• analysis of the way in which advice is sought and suggestions are made about improvements
• observation over time and in a range of situations in relation to review of overall work area and staff, to assess and measure resource use, hazards and compliance
• review of checklists to identify and assess resource usage at the beginning and end of the unit; reports on meetings around procedures and improvement processes and monitoring within the workplace; lists of environmental hazards/risks or inefficiencies or opportunities for improvements identified in the workplace
• analysis of implementation of programs such as a green office program, supply chain program for purchasing sustainable products, or an environmental management framework
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of environmental and energy efficiency issues, systems and procedures specific to industry practice.

Guidance information for assessment 

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

Compliance  may include:

• meeting relevant laws, by-laws and regulations or best practice or codes of practice to support compliance in environmental performance and sustainability at each level as required (such as Environmental Protection or Biodiversity Conservation Act):

• international
• commonwealth
• state/territory
• industry
• organisation.

Sources  may include:

• organisation specifications
• regulatory sources
• relevant stakeholders
• resource use.

Purchasing strategies  may include:

• influencing suppliers to take up environmental sustainability approaches
• researching and participating in programs such as a supply chain program to purchase sustainable products.

Stakeholders, key personnel and specialists  may include:

• individuals and groups both inside and outside the organisation who have direct or indirect interest in the organisation’s conduct, actions, products and services, including:

• customers
• employees at all levels of the organisation
• government
• investors
• local community
• other organisations
• suppliers

• key personnel within the organisation, and specialists outside the organisation who may have particular technical expertise.

Techniques and tools  may include:

• examination of invoices from suppliers
• examination of relevant information and data
• measurements made under different conditions
• others as appropriate to the specific industry context.

Environmental and resource efficiency improvement plans  may include:

• addressing environmental and resource sustainability initiatives such as environmental management systems, action plans, green office programs, surveys and audits
• applying the waste management hierarchy in the workplace
• determining organisation’s most appropriate waste treatment including waste to landfill, recycling, re-use, recoverable resources and wastewater treatment
• initiating and/or maintaining appropriate organisational procedures for operational energy consumption, including stationary energy and non-stationary (transport)
• preventing and minimising risks, and maximising opportunities such as:

• improving resource/energy efficiency
• reducing emissions of greenhouse gases

• reducing use of non-renewable resources
• referencing standards, guidelines and approaches such as:

• ecological footprinting
• Energy Efficiency Opportunities Bill 2005
• Global Reporting Initiative
• green office program – a cultural change program
• green purchasing
• Greenhouse Challenge Plus (Australian government initiative)
• ISO 14001:1996 Environmental management systems life cycle analyses
• product stewardship
• supply chain management
• sustainability covenants/compacts
• triple bottom line reporting.

Suggestions  may include ideas that help to:

• prevent and minimise risks and maximise opportunities such as:

• usage of solar or renewable energies where appropriate
• reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
• reducing use of non-renewable resources
• making more efficient use of resources, energy and water

• maximising opportunities to re-use, recycle and reclaim materials
• identifying strategies to offset or mitigate environmental impacts:

• purchasing carbon credits
• energy conservation
• reducing chemical use
• reducing material consumption

• expressing purchasing power through the selection of suppliers with improved environmental performance e.g. purchasing renewable energy
• eliminating the use of hazardous and toxic materials.

Environmental assets  may include:

• assets of the natural environment such as:

• biological assets (produced or natural)
• land
• water areas with their ecosystems
• subsoil, and
• air.

Unit sector 

Co-requisite units