This module explains in simple terms what an emissions trading scheme is, using the classic Kyoto model. Without any prior understanding of financial markets, the learner will by the end of this short module understand the basics of how emissions trading works, the opportunities it creates for businesses who act responsibility to lower their emissions, and the penalties incurred by those businesses that do not adapt. This module can be simply expanded to reflect the recently passed Clean Energy legislation.
The Sustainable Office Challenge is about making changes within a typical everyday office to reduce the environmental impact, whilst dealing with social (staff) and economic issues. You are designated the team leader of your floor and you are able to make various changes around the office. You must be careful to also keep the staff happy while also not using up your entire budget without making any savings first. This module uses active learning principles to allow the learner to gain a deep understanding of the balance required to achieve a sustainable outcome of a business using triple bottom line principles.
Developed with input from the shopping centre business unit of Stockland, this suite of 3 module focuses on energy efficiency opportunities that exist in typical retail outlets. The learner can explore three different retail environments; a book shop (representing general retail), a beauty salon and a fast food outlet. These three environments are used as between them they represent most of the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability challenges presented in the day-to-day running of small retail businesses. The learner must weigh up initial investment, ongoing energy savings, ongoing carbon savings and long term cost savings in order to determine the most effective changes they can make in each business.
Developed with assistance from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
This module uses serious gaming techniques to create a challenging learning environment that covers the energy used in typical manufacturing operations, and the opportunities for efficiency gains and savings. Taking up to one hour to complete, the learner progresses through a series of complex challenges, broken into a 5 day program. The first 4 days involve determining the most worthwhile energy and cost savings activities to perform, then on the fifth and final day the learner has to find the most effective ways to re-invest her savings to deliver the best energy efficiency and environmental outcomes.
Developed with assistance from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
What is the real cost of our everyday purchasing decisions? In order to be more sustainable we need to understand what the real, and often hidden, costs of the products that we buy. This module tests preconceptions, then by slowly introducing more information allows the learner to construct an understanding of impacts such as transport, packaging and the manufacturing process.
The growth in the LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) consumer market has created a lucrative opportunity for truly sustainable products and services to be marketed to a valuable and growing market segment. However the rush by many companies to 'green wash' their products and services has created a level of consumer scepticism that can potentially undermine legitimate environmental claims in advertising. This modules covers the following areas:
Sustainability is a broad term that has become ambiguous due to over-use. This module explains the concept of Sustainable Business Practices using a Triple-Bottom Line Framework. Using a baking business as an example, it shows how in order to be truly sustainable, a business must address financial, social and environmental concerns in its decision making and day-to-day business practices. This short module is built around an animated movie, and is ideal both for self-paced learning or to be used by the teacher with their class as the launching pad for a discussion on sustainability. The module is designed to set the broad context for other sustainability-related subject matter, and as such acts as an excellent introduction within a lesson plan.
Developed in conjunction with the NSW Office and Environment and Heritage.
Focussing on the fundamentals of the science, this module explains Climate Change in simple, factual terms. The module dispels common myths and keeps the lesson focussed on science rather than conjecture. At completion the module provides a link to a webpage maintained by Change2 with a list of other resources, including an extensive Frequently Asked Questions resource.
Developed in conjunction with the NSW Office and Environment and Heritage.
Learning module meets practical calculator, Energy Efficiency for PC’s and Peripherals imparts an understanding of the energy consumed by common PC and related devices and how to reduce energy consumption. The module allows the learner to calculate the power consumed, its financial cost and carbon impact for their IT setup, and to calculate the savings possible through improved efficiency practices.
Developed in conjunction with the NSW Office and Environment and Heritage.
Information Technology offers businesses many ways to improve efficiency, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. This 4 module series provides the learner with the tools to identify opportunities to use IT systems to reduce environmental impact, and uses real world case studies provided by a range organisations such as Fuji Xerox, Sydney City Council and Fujitsu Australia.
Developed with assistance from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) is the single largest consumer of electricity in commercial buildings. This six module series practically applies energy efficiency principles to real-world scenarios. It provides a practical application for mathematics and simple physics to real world problems.
Developed with assistance from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.