The Sustainability Education Series offers online training in 13 subject areas necessary for implementing and maintaining an effective sustainability plan. These areas range from plan design and implementation, to transportation and green fleet management, and finally to energy and water conservation. The subject areas comprise a total of 50 fully interactive modules that combine text, graphics, audio, and video to create an unparalleled, immersive learning experience. Along the way, challenge questions and knowledge tests ensure the participant gains a solid understanding of the concepts presented. Each training module provides information and directions for facilitating and developing key sustainability initiatives. The modules, which are delivered in 15-minute segments, also cover sustainability strategies and programs, innovation, and best practices for each subject area. This training series is for any company or government that is establishing an effort for awareness and that desires to educate employees with a high-quality curriculum that can be inserted into any LMS. The courses can also be deployed through our virtual world, ODESIE® – Online Dynamic Enterprise Solution for Industry Excellence. The Sustainability Education Series is designed for:
- Managers and supervisors who will be involved in the implementation process of an organization’s quest for becoming more energy-efficient and in planning sustainability and energy-saving programs
- All employees who need to be provided with information supporting their employer’s sustainability initiatives.
Sustainability Planning
The Sustainability Planning modules provide detailed guidelines to address how to develop, and then implement, a sustainability plan. While each sustainability plan is developed within the context of the organization’s culture, there are specific steps that will make the plan more effective and successful. This training presents the process and framework for developing a sustainability plan based upon an analysis of an organization’s needs, priorities, and resources. Methods for identifying the appropriate metrics and monitoring systems for a sustainability plan are also be outlined.
Social Responsibility
The modules in this subject area focus on creating awareness and advancing knowledge on issues regarding ethics and social responsibility. This training introduces a broad range of social responsibility factors that are tied to sustainability and environmental concerns. Environmental issues are tied to the organizational culture and managing risk through an authentic approach to developing and implementing sustainability across all departments, suppliers, and subcontractors.
Green Building, Systems, and Materials
The modules in the Green Building, Systems, and Materials subject area cover the fundamentals of building science and examine a ‘whole-building’ approach to construction, operations, and maintenance. This provides a healthier environment while also making the building more energy-efficient. The modules in this subject area identify core principles, best practices, regulations, incentives, and fundamentals of the LEED rating systems. Throughout the modules, training participants learn how to develop a basic action plan for implementing green building systems in renovation plans or in building new structures.
Green Certifications, Labels, and Standards
The growing green certifications, labels, and standards can be confusing and overwhelming. A green certification is supposed to be an indication that green principles are practiced and that dynamic, ongoing sustainability practices are in place. The modules in the Green Certifications, Labels, and Standards subject area review techniques for determining legitimacy, credibility, and performance. Industry certifications in building, consumer products, environmental landscaping, fleet management, and lodging/tourism are just some of the areas that are covered within these modules.
Green Supply Chain Management
The modules in the Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) subject area cover every stage in manufacturing, from the product design to recycling or disposal. In the government sector, GSCM is critical in procurement programs, award of contracts, and as part of the overall sustainability planning process. The purpose of the GSCM modules is to describe the impact of green on supply chain management, demonstrating how green practices can save money, increase efficiency, and reduce delivery time.
Waste Management
The Waste Management subject area identifies strategic measures for creating or enhancing a comprehensive waste management plan to include understanding waste streams, measuring current/baseline waste generation, completing a facility-wide waste assessment, identifying resources, ensuring compliance with regulations, adopting an integrated waste management program, tracking and monitoring the program, and training/educating employees.
Transportation and Green Fleet Management
Efficient transportation plans significantly impact air quality, land use, and quality of life. The modules in this subject area provide a review of alternative fuel options, green fleet concepts, and efficient transportation systems, which can result in economic and health benefits. Transportation and Green Fleet Management training will provide focused information for building sustainable fleets, easy-to-implement tools and practical solutions to improve efficiency, and up-to-date knowledge on the state of industry and future trends.
Sustainability Purchasing Practices
The objective of the Sustainability Purchasing practices subject area is to bring together policies, communication tools, process improvements, standards, and reporting mechanisms to help align purchasing practices with values and incorporate these into a sustainable purchasing program. A sustainable purchasing policy promotes the use of environmentally preferable products in its acquisition of goods and services through the consideration of life cycle effects from pollution, waste generation, energy consumption, recycled material content, and depletion of natural resources.
Green Cleaning Practices
This subject area promotes green cleaning as an important aspect of achieving healthier indoor air quality. The ways that a company regulates cleaning supplies and practices can save money and bring about a possible change in employee satisfaction and productivity. The modules in this subject area provide an overview of how to implement green cleaning techniques into the workplace. In addition, the modules provide assistance with how to plan for the use of nontoxic cleansers and cleaning products with natural ingredients.
Environmental and Carbon Accounting
Opportunities can be identified, and action can be taken, by implementing environmental/carbon accounting as part of a sustainability plan. Plans should prioritize actions based on the return on investment for taxpayers and meet energy, water, and waste-reduction targets. An organization’s plan to cut emissions may include making infrastructure improvements, reducing fossil fuel use, and implementing better maintenance practices. This can also be incorporated into procurement plans to help improve the supply chain of products used. Renewable energy systems and energy conservation programs are other initiatives that are included in environmental/carbon accounting plans.
Food Service
The modules in this subject area provide information on how to create an environmentally and socially responsible food system that includes criteria for all purchasing, food preparation and service, presentation, cleaning and waste disposal, equipment and supplies, facility design, and renovation and utilities. The Food Service subject area also reviews converting to more environmentally friendly processes, identifying opportunities for significant savings, examining newer products in foodware, and producing less waste. Detailed sustainability requirements encompass local and organic food sourcing, waste minimization options, compliance with certification standards, recycling and composting procedures and practices, compostable packaging materials, nontoxic cleaning products, and much more.
Renewable Energy
Incorporating the use of renewable energy in sustainability planning initiatives is a crucial element in lowing long-term operations and management costs. It enables an understanding for all departments in recognizing what renewable resources can be utilized in their daily business practices. Energy planning, as well as learning steps in identifying how these natural resources can be used in each type of organization, will create a culture of environmental and social responsibility. These are all key components to saving energy and money while preserving computer installations, HVAC, and other communication systems for longevity.
Water Resources and Conservation
This subject area promotes water resources and conservation as a top priority and highlights the need to reduce water use, comply with regulations, save money, and link water conservation to saving on the bottom line. The modules in the Water Resources and Conservation subject area provide instructions on how to implement proper landscaping techniques as well as a water conservation plan that includes increasing the reuse of reclaimed water, using rainwater catchment systems and water-efficient fixtures, and reducing water leakage that results in water loss by enhancing inner-organizational education programs.