Closer to Zero | Essentials - Sustainability Fundamentals
A virtual course guided by a Subject Matter Expert, providing essential knowledge on sustainability, climate change, and net zero targets, crucial for proposals, tenders, and client conversations.
Description
Closer to Zero | Essentials - Sustainability Fundamentals is a comprehensive half-day virtual course designed to provide professionals across the Built Environment and Manufacturing industries with essential knowledge about emissions, sustainability, and net-zero targets. Led by a Subject Matter Expert, this course introduces fundamental concepts that are particularly relevant for those involved in writing tenders and proposals, working with sustainability-conscious clients, or seeking to drive the sustainability transition within their organisations.
During this course, you will gain a clear understanding of how climate change and sustainability targets are reshaping the Built Environment and Manufacturing industries. You will begin by learning the fundamentals of global warming and greenhouse gases, providing you with the foundational knowledge needed to understand the importance of emissions reduction. You will explore the business risks posed by climate change in Australia and New Zealand, ensuring you are well-prepared to navigate future challenges. The course will also introduce key terms commonly used by sustainability professionals, such as carbon emissions, embodied carbon, life cycle assessment, carbon neutral, and net zero. As you progress, you will learn how emissions are measured and reported, including the concept of emissions scopes and what is included or excluded from reporting. You will also explore the primary environmental impacts of the Built Environment industry and the global Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment. Additionally, you will gain valuable insights into global climate action, including how the Paris Agreement and global targets influence national regulations in Australia and New Zealand. You will explore the essential methodologies and frameworks used by the industry to set net-zero targets and report on sustainability indicators, including the Science Based Targets initiative and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Real-world case studies will demonstrate how these concepts and strategies are applied by leading businesses in the region.
Upon completing the course, you will have a solid understanding of core sustainability concepts and be well-equipped to participate in conversations around sustainability and climate risks. You will also be able to contribute meaningfully to your organisation’s sustainability initiatives and address sustainability questions posed by your customers.
Learning Outcomes
During this course, you will explore the following topics:
- Module 1 – Climate Change | Global Warming | Climate Risks to Business: Explore the science behind the greenhouse gas effect and temperature rise. Learn about the specific climate risks affecting Australia and New Zealand and how these risks impact business operations, including procurement, site management, finance, and workforce considerations.
- Module 2 – Key Definitions | Greenhouse Gases | Emissions Accounting Methodologies: Understand key sustainability terms, such as carbon neutral, net zero, and embodied emissions. Learn about greenhouse gases, their sources, and why emissions are often referred to as carbon emissions. Explore how corporate emissions are calculated, including different scopes of emissions, and identify the main sources of emissions for major Australian emitters.
- Module 3 – Global, National & Corporate Climate Action | Net Zero Targets | Regulatory Compliance: Explore the Paris Agreement and the global goal to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C. Learn about the major sources of emissions in Australia and New Zealand and each country’s net zero targets. Discover the Science Based Targets initiative and how companies are taking action, and gain an understanding of the emissions reporting obligations in both countries.
- Module 4 – Built Environment Footprint | Sustainability Strategy Fundamentals | Sustainable Development Goals: Learn about the environmental impact of the Built Environment sector and the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment. Explore the concept of life cycle assessment, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Case studies will illustrate how large businesses implement these goals across their operations.
Courseware
Before the course, you will receive a Course Pack containing training notes and/or files that need to be downloaded prior to joining the training. Please note that our training sessions are not recorded to maintain the privacy of all participants.
System Requirements
Participants joining this course virtually will need:
- The latest Zoom version installed on their computer (required).
- A stable internet connection with a minimum download speed of 10mbps (required).
- A headset to ensure clear communication with the instructor, and preferably a microphone and webcam for interactive conversations (recommended).
Prerequisites
No specific software or technical skills are required to join this course. A general understanding of sustainability concepts is beneficial but not necessary. Reviewing basic sustainability principles before the course is recommended.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an official ARKANCE Certificate of Completion, demonstrating their commitment to ongoing professional development.
Additional Information
Our Core Curriculum Series courses are regularly scheduled and delivered virtually by Autodesk Certified Instructors, Bluebeam Certified Instructors and experienced Subject Matter Experts. These sessions are priced per ticket and open to the public, meaning you will attend alongside other registrants.
Alternatively, all our courses can be organised privately for your team, following either a standard agenda or a customised curriculum tailored to your specific requirements. Private training sessions are available both virtually and in-person.