Module 9
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Module Overview
Module 9 concentrates on sustainable business operations, guiding you through the management of business processes in a manner that minimises environmental and social impacts while enhancing long-term value. It identifies key focus areas for sustainable operations, including energy, water, waste, transportation, and procurement, and presents real-life examples of how businesses are incorporating sustainable practices.
    Module length: 6 hours on average
    CPD Hours: 3
Michele Hallahan has over 20 years of experience in ecological design and sustainability, working in the US and Europe. She specialises in restorative environmental management and has consulted for various businesses. Previously, Michele was Vice President at Dr. John Todd's ecological design firm, JTED, and a Sustainability Advisor at Trinity College, Dublin, where she also taught climate change and sustainability. She is a certified Permaculture Designer and a guest lecturer at UCD.
You will learn about operations management systems, the importance of internal metrics for tracking performance, and strategies for reducing environmental and social impacts.
This module covers renewable energy usage, water conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement, offering you insights into how businesses can operate more sustainably by making informed, responsible choices in their operational decisions.
This reflects the duration of Continuous Professional Development learning and the corresponding hours that can be recorded in your CPD Portfolio. These hours contribute towards achieving your qualification.
More Modules
Module 1
INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY
Introduction to the sustainability challenges organisations face.
Understand the strategic framework involved in an organisation's sustainability journey.
Evaluate the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how companies can align their sustainability plans with the goals.
Module length: 3 hrs on average
CPD Hours: 3
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN DEVELOPMENT
Outline key steps involved in developing a sustainability plan.
Conduct a materiality assessment to assess stakeholders' views on your organisation's impact.
Understand stakeholder engagement and sustainability plan framework implementation.
Module length: 3 hrs on average
CPD Hours: 3
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Understand how to measure progress, baselining and benchmarking
Identify internal communication to drive further progress and understand the importance of Stakeholder Engagement
Learn to implement strategies and seek feedback to ensure resilience
Module length: 3 hrs on average
CPD Hours: 3
Module 4
DECARBONISATION: ACHIEVING NET ZERO
Interpret your organisation's carbon footprint according to industry best practices - Scope 1, 2 and 3
Understand product life cycle assessment and product carbon footprinting
Understand key carbon targets for your decarbonisation plan
Module length: 3 hrs on average
CPD Hours: 3
CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
Understand circular economy; assess its risks, and opportunities.
Assess the value chain for circular economy integration to reduce impact of your products and services
Evaluate tools, steps, and designs for circular economy model development.
Module length: 4 hrs on average
CPD Hours: 3
Module 6
BUSINESS WITH BIODIVERSITY
Recognise business cases where organisations have introduced initiatives to combat biodiversity decline
Understand how biodiversity is represented in global and EU policies
Understand the responsibilities that organisations have for financial reporting related to biodiversity
Module length: 5 hrs on average
CPD Hours: 3
Module 7
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Assess your current DEI strategy, and identify gaps and the essential elements needed within the strategy
Use leadership to articulate DEI business case in your organisation.
Implement bias-free ways to collect and interpret diversity-related data
Module length: 4 hrs on average
CPD Hours: 3
Module 8
SUSTAINABLE FINANCE
Understand sustainable finance: literacy, terms, systems, and global trends.
Learn how financial systems are redirected towards economic and social benefits.
Evaluate and utilise available sustainable finance instruments and approaches.
Module length: 5 hrs on average
CPD Hours: 3
Module 10
SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN
Assess global supply chain risks and collaboration opportunities.
Develop tools to make supply chains resilient to environmental and social pressures.
Outline product life cycle for efficient, cost-saving supply chains.
Module length: 7 hrs on average
CPD Hours: 3
Module 11
GREEN MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION
Understand communication's role in effective sustainability plans.
Develop a strategy for collaboration, internal buy-in, and stakeholder engagement.
Design green marketing plan; understand challenges and opportunities.
Module length: 4 hrs on average
CPD Hours: 3
Module 12
ESG REPORTING AND AUDITING
Understand the range of reporting frameworks out there and what is required of your organisation from a reporting perspective
Categorise the various ESG reporting challenges and how to overcome them
Apply the steps needed to develop high-quality non-financial disclosure information and improve transparency
Module length: 7 hrs on average
CPD Hours: 3
Experience the Diploma Course Preview
Familiarise yourself with the interactive online learning platform and see how you can gain the knowledge you need to confidently implement sustainability best practices. With this demo, you can:
- Preview the Diploma course curriculum and teaching style
- Get familiar first-hand with the online learning experience
- Ensure the course aligns with your professional development goals
