Learning outcomes:

• Scope and develop organisational policies and procedures that comply with legislative requirements and support the organisation's sustainability goals covering such as minimising resource use, resource efficiency and reducing toxic material and hazardous chemical use
• plan and implement sustainability policy and procedures
• consult and communicate with relevant stakeholders to generate engagement with sustainability policy development, implementation and continuous improvement review and improve sustainability policies
• outline the environmental or sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to the organisation identify internal and external sources of information
• outline organisational systems and procedures that relate to sustainability

PART 1: CASE BASED ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT CONTEXT

You have recently being appointed as an operational officer of a 3 star hotel named IBIS in Sydney. Matching contemporary urban style and energy with warm, welcoming service and a casual spirit, the ibis Sydney World Square Hotel is one of the top places to stay in Sydney CBD. With an unbeatable central city location, on historic Pitt Street near the Capitol Theatre, SMC Conference Centre and Australian Technology Park, our 166-room hotel offers well-appointed accommodation at an exceptional price that meets any budget. From here, guests enjoy a short stroll to Sydney attractions like the historic Queen Victoria Building, Chinatown, Hyde Park and Darling Harbour. Some of the highlighted features of this hotel includes with broadband Internet access, wifi, LCD flat screen televisions, work desks and mini refrigerators comfortable Standard or Deluxe outfitted with the full range of business and family-friendly amenities.

Use the IBIS website to gather more information on the organisational and to complete the four activities. In each of the activities, a sample has been provided (highlighted in red text) for you get an idea on how to complete the activity. Each activity carries 15 marks to aggregate a total of 60 marks in PART 1.

ACTIVITY 1: DEVELOPING WORKPLACE PROCEDURES

Use this table to identify and describe procedures you should follow at this hotel organisation in order to comply with licensing, regulations or environmental policy. In the first column (Workplace procedure) list each procedure you follow. In the second column (Purpose) explain the purpose of the procedure. In the last column (Use of the procedure) describe the way you perform a task or steps you take in order to comply.

ACTIVITY 2: RESOURCE CONSUMPTION PLAN

Use this table to record some of the resources your hotel may have used in one day. Add resources to the first column (Resources) according to job and workplace activities. Complete the ‘Resource' column by listing the volume of the resource you consume for different activities. Estimate volumes (e.g. 250ml) to the best of your knowledge where necessary. In the second column (Unit of measurement) give the general unit of measurement for how the resource can be measured. In the third column (Total usage in one day) give your total usage according to all amounts you use multiplied by the unit of measurement. Some examples are included to get you started.

As an alternative to completing this table, you could conduct an audit or survey. For example a paper audit: count the number of paper sheets or reams used up over a period of time.

Or conduct a survey amongst your colleagues: find out how much car fuel is consumed in total amongst the group in one (1) day.

ACTIVITY 3: ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

Use this table to identify environmental hazards in your workplace or an alternative place of work or study. In the first column (Hazard) list five hazards you find in your workplace. In the second column (Why?) explain why each is an actual or potential hazard. In the last column (Risks) describe the risks to the environment associated with each hazard.

Environmental hazards include smog, gases, odours, waste water, sewage leaks, pesticides and waste (plastics).

ACTIVITY 4: WORK ACTIVITIES IMPACT

Use this table to identify which aspects of the environment your work activities impact. Add your work activities to the first column (Activity). Place a cross in each column (Environmental impacts) that you think the work activity impacts.

In the last column (Comments) suggest ways in which the work activity impacts the environment.

PART 2: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES

INSTRUCTIONS

This PART 2 is a section to assess underpinning knowledge of learners in relation to the unit. To complete this section, the learner may have to refer to external information such as legislation, codes of practice, texts and notes, samples of other workplace procedures. There are 8 short questions each carrying 5 marks to a total of 40 marks in PART 2. You must answer all.

1. Research your state's environmental agency and policies. Note down any legislation, fines or restrictions in place for businesses.

2. A hotel close to your organisation (which is a competitor) is advertising itself as ‘environmentally friendly'. The company's logo features a pine tree in the background and its website advertises the firm as ‘a leader in sustainable practices'. However, its website does not contain any actual policies on the environment and no reports on sustainability are available to the public.

a) Is this a form of green washing or is it green marketing?

b) Are consumers in Australia protected from misleading information? How?

3. Some Australian organisations such as airlines offer a carbon offset program. When you book your airline ticket you are presented with the option of paying a small surcharge to offset the carbon emissions of your flight.

a) Do an internet research and explain how the carbon offset program helps the environment and the organisation.

b) How could the results of this program be reported back to the community or shareholders?

4. Define sustainability and the three pillars of sustainability.

5. Explain carbon trading.

6. How can businesses reduce their ecological footprint? Provide at least 3 examples.

7. What is the purpose of a green office program in Australia? If you are the environmental officer of the 3 star hotel IBIS as mentioned in PART 1, what initiatives, policies and procedures would you recommend the stakeholders and shareholders of the organisation?

8. Use 2 examples of organisations and situations to explain how sustainability practices benefit businesses.