Business & the Environment

In 1990 the concept of the environmental management system (EMS) was new to many organisations. However, it has subsequently developed very rapidly, becoming the subject of a number of international standards and schemes. The first national environmental management standard, BS7750, was published in 1992 and the European Union (or Community as it was then called) adopted the same basic approach in 1993 with the introduction of its Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). An international standard, ISO 14001, replaced BS 7750 in 1996. In this course we look at how these standards and schemes have developed, the differences between them, and what benefits an organisation can expect to gain from adopting a recognised EMS.

While neither ISO 14001 nor EMAS prescribe the level of environmental performance to be achieved, they do require a commitment to continual improvement. The extent of this improvement is for the individual organisation to decide and should be quantified in objectives and targets where practicable. At first glance, continual improvement may appear to be a particularly onerous commitment, but it is vital if the environmental management system is to be seen as credible by interested parties. This course looks at the importance and benefits of continual improvement, how it can be achieved, and how some of the barriers to its achievement can be overcome.

Any organisation undertaking a programme of continual improvement needs not only to establish procedures for its work processes but also to regard all procedures, and the processes to which they relate, as being capable of improvement. This course focuses on what is involved in improving work procedures and processes in order to reduce the environmental impacts of your organisation.

A sudden environmental crisis - such as a large fire, explosion, and release of toxic gas or major water pollution incident - is probably the most feared occurrence by individuals with responsibility for an organisation's environmental performance. However, slow-acting pollution incidents can create a crisis that damages not only the environment but also the organisation, both financially and in terms of its reputation - and the reputation of its products - among the public.

Emergency planning is required to deal with any incident that could result in loss of life, ill health or damage to the environment.


Course fees: £345.00 if paid in full.

Pay monthly option: £99 Deposit followed by 6 monthly payments of £50.00. (Total fees of £399.00) Call in for guaranteed payment plan.


Entry requirements:

There are no previous skills or qualifications required to register for this study programme.

Support:

All students will be assigned a personal tutor with whom they may correspond with via telephone or email. Details will be in your course study pack.

Duration:

All students have one year to complete this course from date of registration. Average study of 100 hours.

Provided materials:

• NCFE approved course pack
• Unlimited support Monday to Friday
• NCFE registration
• Certification

Examination:

No examination is necessary

Assessment method:

This course is completed using continual assessment, allowing your tutor to closely monitor your progress every step of the way. Therefore no examination is required.

Qualification:

Both qualifications are issued upon successful completion

Qualification 1:

Business and the environment Diploma 

Business and the environment diploma entitling you to use the letters SAC Dip after your name

Qualification 2: 

Business & the Environment Award

 At the end of this course successful learners will also receive a level 3 NCFE Award certificate of achievement. That means that it is independently accredited at a level of learning equivalent to level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (in which case GCSE's are at levels 1 and 2 and A Levels are at level 3).

This award has been designed by Stonebridge Associated Colleges to meet specific learners' or employers' requirements. Accreditation by NCFE is a guarantee of quality. It means that this learning programme has been scrutinised and approved by an independent panel of experienced educational professionals and is quality audited biannually by NCFE.

Course syllabus:

By the end of the course you should be able to:

(Session One)  

• Outline the basic principles underlying environmental management.
  
• Describe some of the environmental management guidance, systems and schemes available to your organisation.
• Describe the development and purpose of environmental management systems and standards.
• Outline the main requirements and differences between ISO 14001 and the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), and explain the appropriateness of each to your organisation.
• Describe the various methods available for implementing an environmental management system (EMS) in your organisation.
• Outline the benefits of integrating an EMS into existing management systems within the organisation.

(Session Two)

• Describe the importance of achieving continual improvement within the EMS.
• Outline the benefits, risks and costs to your organisation of improving environmental performance.
• Explain the importance of commitment at all levels in the organisation to the successful implementation of an EMS.

(Session Three)

• Explain the role of working methods in the environmental performance of your organisation.
• Outline the methods available for assessing the environmental impacts of work procedures and processes.
• Explain how changes can be successfully made to work procedures and processes.

(Session Four)

• Explain the environmental consequences of sudden and gradual pollution incidents.
• Describe the measures to be taken in the event of a pollution incident occurring in your organisation.
• Explain the importance of devising emergency plans to deal with the environmental effects of accidents.

Syllabus:

Environmental Management Systems, Schemes and Standards

1.1 Environmental management principles
1.2 Environmental management systems and standards
1.3 Main elements of EMAS
1.4 Main elements of ISO 14001
1.5 Strategic environmental management
1.6 Integrated management

Continual Improvement

2.1 What is continual improvement?
2.2 Benefits of improved environmental performance
2.3 Challenges to the implementation of an improvement programme
2.4 The importance of commitment
2.5 Implementing a continual improvement programme
2.6 Sustainable development

Working Methods

3.1 The importance of environmental procedures
3.2 Assessment of procedures and processes
3.3 Implementing changes to procedures and processes

Response to Damage to the Environment

4.1 Fire, explosion and toxic gas releases
4.2 Contaminated land
4.3 Pollution of surface water
4.4 Emergency plans

What is NCFE

NCFE is the UK's longest established awarding body, recognised as a highly professional and responsive organisation, committed to maintaining excellent customer service and a friendly approach.

NCFE is recognised as an awarding body by the qualification regulators ('regulators') for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulators are the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland.

Accreditation by NCFE is a guarantee of quality. It means that a learning programme has been scrutinised and approved by an independent panel of experienced educational professionals and is quality audited biannually by NCFE. Learners successfully completing NCFE accredited programmes receive an externally accredited and nationally recognised NCFE certificate.

For more information on this award, click here