BSBSUS511 Task 1

Sydney Metro College

 Assessment Task 1

BSBSUS511 Develop Workplace Policy and Procedures for

Sustainability
Assessment Task 1 Cover Sheet

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 Assessment Task 1: Knowledge questions

Information for students

Knowledge questions are designed to help you demonstrate the
knowledge which you have acquired during the learning phase of
this unit. Ensure that you:
review the advice to students regarding answering
knowledge questions in the Business Works Student User
Guide

comply with the due date for assessment which your assessor will
provide
adhere with your RTO’s submission guidelines
answer all questions completely and correctly
submit work which is original and, where necessary, properly
referenced
submit a completed cover sheet with your work
avoid sharing your answers with other students.

i
Assessment information
Information about how you should complete this
assessment can be found in Appendix A of the Business
Works Student User Guide. Refer to the appendix for
information on:
where this task should be completed
the maximum time allowed for completing this assessment
task
whether or not this task is open-book.
Note: You must complete and submit an assessment
cover sheet with your work. A template is provided in
Appendix C of the Student User Guide. However, if
your RTO has provided you with an assessment cover
sheet, please ensure that you use that.
Questions
Provide answers to all of the questions below:

1. Outline the Kyoto Protocol and Australia’s obligations under

the Protocol, as well as its current targets and the adequacy
of these targets.

The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or
FCCC) whose sole aim is to fight global warming.

The UNFCCC is an international environmental treaty with

the goal of achieving stabilization of greenhouse gas
concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would
prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with
theclimate system.

The Protocol was initially adopted on 11 December 1997 in

Kyoto, Japan. It came into force on 16th of February 2005.
As of June 2013, 192 parties have signed and ratified the
protocol. Under the protocol, 37 countries commit
themselves to the reduction of the four greenhouse gases
and twogroups of gases produced by them.

Australia’s obligation to this protocol was that on 11 August

2015, Australia submitted its 2030 targets to reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 26–28% from 2005
levels, including land-use, land-use.

2. Outline the purpose and scope of the Asia-Pacific

Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.

The Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and

Climate is an international, voluntary,public-private
partnership between Australia, Canada, India, Japan the
People’s Republic of China,South Korea and the United
States. It also encourages economic development and
reduces poverty.

The purpose of the partnership was outlined by Foreign,

environment and energy ministers from partner countries
as they agreed to cooperate on the development and
transfer of technology, which enables the reduction of
greenhouse gases that is consistent with and also
complementary to the UNFCCC. Member countries
 account for over 50% of the world’s greenhouse gas
emissions, energy consumption, GDP and population.

3. Outline the purpose and scope of the Environment Protection

and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity

Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the
Australiangovernment’s central piece of environmental
legislation with the purpose of protecting
theenvironment and managing national and
internationally important flora, fauna,
ecologicalcommunities and heritage places.

Specifically, this means that the EPBC Act is triggered in

the case of developments that affectworld heritage
sites, national heritage sites, wetlands, threatened and
migratory species andnuclear action.
4. Outline the purpose and scope of the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act
Regulations.

The purpose of the EPBC Regulations is to enable the

Director of National Parks to control, arange of activities
in Commonwealth reserves. Many of these activities are
prohibited unless certain exemptions apply. For
example, where a permit has been issued that
authorizes theactivity, or where a Commonwealth
reserve management plan allows the activity.

The scope of the regulations address, for example, use

of vehicles and vessels, littering, commercial activities,
commercial fishing, recreational fishing and research.

5. Outline the purpose and scope of the National Greenhouse and

Energy Reporting Scheme.

The purpose of the National Greenhouse and Energy

Reporting is to ensure the collection, reporting and
dissemination of information related to greenhouse
gas emissions and energy consumption and production
scheme under the National Greenhouse and Energy
Reporting Act 2007. This is known as the National
Pollutant Inventory (NPI) and can be accessed by all
Australians. This is important, as it allows Australians
to make informed choices about the impactsand
approach to potential sources of pollution.

The NPI provides a comprehensive source of data on

the emissions of 93 toxic substances to
theenvironment and is unique in tracking emissions
across Australia.

6. Outline the purpose and scope of the Australian Packaging

Covenant voluntary code of practice.

The Australian Packaging Covenant comes under the

National Waste Policy and is in effect avoluntary code of
practice for businesses. The Covenant is designed to
minimise environmental impacts arising from the
disposal of used packaging; conserve resources through
better design andproduction processes; and facilitate
the re-use and recycling of used packaging materials.
 The covenant addresses a range of key areas such as
maximising water and energy efficiency,minimising
materials, using recycled and renewable materials,
minimising risks associated withpotentially toxic and
hazardous materials, using materials from responsible
suppliers and designsfor transport, reuse, recovery,
litter reduction, consumer accessibility and providing
consumerinformation.

7. Outline the purpose and scope of the Australian Ecolabel

Program voluntary code of practice.

The purpose of the Australian Ecolabel Program code of

practice is to provide voluntary standardsfor
environmentally preferable standards. It is based on the
international standard
ISO 14024: “Environmental Labels and Declarations –
Guiding Principles” which requires environmental labelling
specifications to include criteria that are objective,
reasonable and verifiable. The programis managed by Good
Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), and addresses
standards in thearea of Architectural and protective
coatings, carpets, detergents, furniture and fittings and
recycledplastic and rubber products.

8. Identify one internal information source and one external

information source that can be used to plan and develop a
company’s sustainability policy. For each source, explain how
this source can be used to develop the sustainability policy.

Below are internal and external source that can be used

to plan and develop a companys sustainability policy:

a. Internal Source : Staff & stake holders

- Using communication procedures can help to

successfully implement workplace sustainability
policies.

- Communication with staff can also promote

involvement, encourage continuous improvement,
and reduce the resistance to change.
 b. External Source : Government regulations & industry
practices

- Government regulations give a fair idea about how to

formulate the sustainable policy as well as industry
practices.

- Complying with these sources and regulations will

ensure the company is on track to follow the policy
guidelines

9. Explain the key steps in a policy development process.

Stage 1: Define the scope and objectives.

Determine the policy's scope

Establish policy objectives

Stage 2: Collect information

Identify applicable legislation and regulations

Identify relevant codes of practice

Identify sources of knowledge

Consult with important stakeholders

Perform research

Stage 3: Analyze data

Analyze and record research findings

Analyze and document consultation findings

Stage 4: Document policy

Document policy in accordance with organizational policies

and procedures

Policies for implementation and continuing improvement

should be included.
10. Explain the main components of a policy document.

A sustainability policy document should contain the following

components:

- A purpose statement, scope and objectives and

organisational commitment - compliance

requirements

- research findings (this could include resource usage data)

- strategies

- responsibilities

- review and improvement processes.

11. Outline policy development practices that may be

used in response to resistance to the introduction of
policies.

Below are some of the points that can be used as a response to

resistance to policy introduction

- accurately reflects the culture, mission and values of the

organisation

- provides a clear statement of its purpose and scope

- provides clear guidance and assigns responsibility

- embeds processes for ongoing and continuous review and

improvement

- provides legislative context (where applicable)

- includes guidance for implementation

- includes supporting procedures.

A sustainability policy may also contain statements around
environmental commitments such as:

- Providing a safe and healthy workplace

- Having an environmentally sustainable aware culture,

where responsibility is assigned andunderstood

- Being an environmentally responsible within the

community

- Conserving natural resources by reusing and recycling

- Using processes that do not adversely affectthe

environment

- Ensuring the responsible use of energy throughout the

organisation

- Participating in efforts to improve environmental

protection and understanding

- Taking steps to continually improve environmental

performance

- Conducting audits, evaluations, and self-assessments of

the implementation of practices

- Working with suppliers who promote sound

environmental practices

- Promoting awareness among employees and

stakeholders as well as providing awards for acting in
an environmentally responsible manner.

12. Outline why a company may choose to implement an

environmental management system (EMS). List at least three
reasons why a company may implement an EMS.

Without an Environmental Management System (EMS),

you’re risking your brand, business and relationships with
increasingly environmentally-conscious travelers. The
troubling issue of climate change and global warming is
influencing almost every purchase decision your guest
makes, from the sunscreen they buy, to the flights they take
and hotel they choose.

For the hospitality industry, this shifting attitude is both a

threat and an opportunity. Environmental Management
Systems are the framework that help companies improve
their energy efficiency and their environmental
sustainability. To not have one is a serious business risk,
and conversely, investing in one can have numerous
bottom-line benefits.
 Reasons why a company may implemen an EMS:

1. Achieve certification for improved competitive

advantage

2. Improve the understanding of your business processes

3. Management of risk

4. Legal requirements

5. Reduce costs

6. Improve responsibilities

7. Reduce your environmental footprint

13. Outline at least three key components of an EMS.

The three primary processes of a management system include:

1. Core processes, their outputs, and the identification of

significant environmental aspects and impacts

2. Key supporting processes, such as those for

maintaining awareness of legal requirements,
ensuring competency of employees, providing
infrastructure, communicating EMS information,
and monitoring and evaluating environmental
performance

3. Management system supporting processes, such as

document control, record control, and internal auditing

14. Outline how a business can use environmental

sustainability indicators and two examples of indicators
that can be used.

General indicators include energy, water and material

consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide,
methane, and air emissions per unit product. These
indicators can be used to compare one organization's
performance against another's.
15. Outline how a business can use life cycle management
procedures to assist with implementing sustainability
practices.

By considering the entire life cycle of a product, a

number of possible improvements can be identified,
for example, reducing the total environmental burden
by increasing the use of paper in the office with high
recycle content, increasing the use of renewable
energy sources, reducing water consumption and
wastewater discharge in the production process or
dematerializing a product recycle content
(UNEP/SETAC 2013).

16. Outline at least two barriers to introducing policies and

procedures, and strategies that can be used to address each
of the barriers you identify.

Lack of Employee Involvement:

Your efforts to introduce change can only succeed when

you get employees involved in the change process as
much as possible. Getting the employees involved means
listening to their opinion, accounting for their output and
assuring them that the change is for the good of all in
the organization including them.

Providing relevant, sufficient resources to drive them

towards change will be a necessary thing to do, so that
they are comfortable and ready to adjust to the new
development within the organization.

Lack of Effective Communication Strategy:

CEOs should stop making announcement and introduce

strategies. Employees do not need to know about the
change only. They need to know how the change will
affect them as well as how they will adapt to the change.
 A Bad Culture Shift Planning:

The only way to break this barrier is for the

planning team to understand that the organization
must not overlook the feelings of the employees.

The organization has to do whatever it takes to prevent

deep resentments, which usually occur due to disrespect
of taboos and traditions at the workplace. Therefore,
when focusing on critical thinking and objective analysis,
it is important to understand that taking the feelings of
the employees into account is quite a great way to
overcome the barrier that usually hinder organizational
changes.

Unknown Current State:

The only way to get around this is to analyze and fully

understand the current blueprint of the organization
before attempting to introduce or suggest any change.
Once you go through the blueprint and understand it
clearly, it becomes easier to plan and transition to a
future state.

17. Describe the role that quality systems like ISO and
Australian Standards can play in supporting corporate
sustainability.

Frameworks like ISO and Australian Guidelines give formal

articulations of quality that associations can degree against. The
measures are freely evaluated and experimentally evaluated to
guarantee

that they are best practice. Australian and worldwide

guidelines relating to corporate supportability include:

The global standards for sustainability reporting (The GRI

Standards)

ISO 26000:2010 Guidance on social responsibility

The AS/NZS 3598:2014 standards

The triple bottom line of environmental quality, social equity

and economic prosperity
 The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

ISO14001 Environmental management

It is vital to get it what these measures are so that they can be

coordinates into forms and practic.