Reference no: EM133077449 , Length: word count:1800

BSB60215 Advanced Diploma of Business - Australian Harbour International College

BSBSUS501 Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability

Policy Development Project

Increasingly more businesses and organisations are implementing sustainability policies to encourage sustainability principles and practices within the workplace

You are to develop a sustainability policy for implementation in an organisation of your choice.

Organisations may include:
• Your own workplace
• Local councils
• Businesses
• Not-for-profit organisations
• Government department or agency
• Local community groups
• Sporting clubs.
• Australian Harbour International College

The purpose of the sustainability policy is to develop strategies for:
• Minimising resource use
• Reducing toxic material and hazardous chemical use
• Employing life cycle management approaches
• Promoting sustainability principles in the chosen organisation
• Raising awareness among stakeholders
• Training staff regarding sustainability principles and techniques

PART A: Planning Sustainability Policy

Before you write the sustainability policy you need to access information on sustainability practices and the processes and techniques of writing policy. You also need to discuss possible approaches to policy development and implementation with key stakeholders.

1. Gather information from a range of sources to help you plan and develop the policy. Sources may include:

• Industry guidelines
• Industry best practice
• Relevant personnel
• Organisational specifications
• Legislative requirements
2. You will need to research different methods and techniques for writing policy. All types of organisations have policies to guide the way work is done in the organisation. Consequently, policy documents can be written and presented in many different ways. Some of the issues you will need to consider are:

• How you will structure the document most effectively?
• What writing style will you use?
• Will you include the organisation's general principles and philosophies?
• How will you organise general policies and specific procedures?
• Who needs to authorise the policy document?
3. Identify and consult with stakeholders as a key component of the policy development process. Stakeholders may include:

• Customers
• Staff
• Investors
• Local community
• Regulators
• Technical specialists

You should use a variety of methods to involve stakeholders in the policy development. You should be prepared to effectively manage different points of view and dissenting stakeholders. You are expected to contribute to the resolution of disputes among stakeholders.

4. Make recommendations for sustainability policy options to address inefficiencies within the organisation or opportunities for improvements in sustainability practices based on:

• Likely effectiveness
• Time-frames
• Cost
• Existing organisational policies such as equal employment opportunity, OHS and equity and diversity policies
• Principles and practices of sustainability management relevant to the industry
• Industry best practice
• Available tools and techniques of sustainability management
• Continuous improvement in resource efficiency
You must submit a report which details your planning process. You must discuss:
a. The organisation you are working with
b. The research you have conducted and the sources you have used
c. The methods and techniques of policy writing you will use
d. The needs and interests of each stakeholder group that you have identified
e. Sustainability policy options you recommend including a discussion of their advantages and disadvantages for the organisation and for the various stakeholder groups.
f. Final recommendations for policy options based on likely effectiveness, time-frames and cost

PART B: Write Sustainability Policy

Now that you have an understanding of sustainability and the inefficiencies and opportunities for improved sustainable practices in the organisation, you must develop a workplace sustainability policy based on Part A (Planning sustainability policy)

The written workplace sustainability policy that you submit must:

1. Define the scope of the policy. This may include:

• Breadth of the policy application - will it be implemented in parts of organisation, the whole organisation or across multiple organisations
• Policy approach - will you select an integrated approach which includes environmental, social and economic aspects, or a specific approach that focuses on aspects individually?
• Adherence to legislation - will you meet the relevant legislation which supports the compliance of your organisation in environmental performance and sustainability?
• Reference the organisation's policy to international and nation environmental standards, guidelines and approaches - will you follow guidelines and approaches such as the Global Reporting Initiative ecological foot print and Greenhouse Challenge Plus.

2. Develop a workplace sustainability policy that reflects the organisation's commitment to sustainability as an integral part of business planning, and as a business opportunity which includes benchmark indicators.

3. Develop an implementation strategy as part of the policy. This may involve developing:

• Relevant systems and procedures to aid in the achievement of workplace sustainability
• Quality assurance systems
• Relevant protocols
• System for continuous improvement in resource efficiency for recording and interpreting data

You must work in consultation with the relevant people (Assessor) in your organisation so that the document accurately reflects organisational requirements. You must submit your work as a formal policy document through meeting to the relevant personnel (Assessor) to seek approval for implementing the sustainability policy and also collect feedback as an evidence of final approval.

It is important that your policy is precise, well structured and expressed in a way that keeps in mind your target audience.

Submission requirements:
• Formal sustainability policy
• Evidence of Meeting Minutes regarding sustainability policy final approval

Attachment:- Policy Development Project.rar