Prioritising sustainable practices is something that all businesses, no matter what industry they’re in, are now having to take more seriously, as the realities of climate change increasingly make themselves felt… and, of course, as consumers increasingly demonstrate their feelings on the matter, choosing to spend with brands that have strong green credentials as part of their core values.

A growing body of research shows that people want to do business with eco-friendly companies. PwC’s Voice of the Consumer Survey from last year, for example, shows that despite the cost of living crisis still weighing heavily on their minds, consumers are willing to pay a premium for green goods.

Sabine Durand-Hayes, global consumer markets leader for the organisation, said at the time: “Consumers are increasingly feeling the squeeze of inflation and rising prices in essential goods such as groceries, however, in that context, they are prioritising products that are sustainably produced and sourced. 

“Even as consumers look to cheaper, generic options for essentials, they nevertheless cite a willingness to pay 9.7 per cent more for sustainability. In the year ahead, companies must achieve a delicate balance between consumer affordability and environmental impact if they are to source and retain consumers.”

Consumers aside, the environmental impact of industry on the planet is significant – and growing. Figures from the World Resources Institute show that industry is the fastest growing source of emissions globally, with industrial processes rising by 225 per cent since 1990.

As such, there’s certainly no time quite like the present to reduce the carbon footprint of your operations, building resilience into your business in the face of a changing world and ensuring that consumers view you favourably as a spending destination.

Here’s how…

Gain the NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate

This course adopts a risk management approach to environmental issues, helping you to prevent incidents from taking place, while giving you greater control over other related issues, including pollution, energy efficiency across your site and environmental emergencies.

Aimed at managers, worker representatives, supervisors and anyone responsible for environmental strategies and reviews, this course will provide you with a solid understanding of environmental management principles, serving as an excellent stepping stone towards taking an environmental diploma.

The course content includes:

– Foundations in environmental management

– Management systems

– Assessment of environmental aspects and impacts

– Control of air emissions and environmental noise

– Control of water source contamination

– Control of waste and land use

– Energy usage and energy efficiency

It should take around 67 hours of study to complete the course, with a minimum of 34 taught hours and approximately 25 hours of private study/background reading. Typically, the course is completed in five days, with the final day including an exam tutorial and revision session.

If you’d like to build your health and safety knowledge further, our NEBOSH General Certificate course is a great place to start. It’s designed for anyone looking to develop practical skills and gain a respected qualification in workplace safety. To find out more, get in touch with the ACT team today.