Green Economy Journal Issue 60

AA1000 Online Training with DQS Academy
Your Path to Purpose: Choosing a Sustainability
Career to Reshape South Africa’s Future
Choosing a career in sustainability is not merely a job; it’s a commitment to addressing social issues,
fostering equitable growth, and securing a sustainable future. When individuals choose to embark on
sustainability careers in South Africa, they embark on a transformative journey, wherein their actions
become part of a global movement with a singular purpose: preserving and safeguarding our precious
planet for present and future generations.
Sustainability is an urgent and global imperative, touching every facet of South
African society, from businesses to government agencies and nonprofits. Beyond
addressing local concerns, it is a worldwide priority with far-reaching benefits.
Opting for sustainability careers in South Africa is to be part of a global movement
committed to preserving our planet.
Ten Key Reasons Why Sustainability Professionals Are Vital:
• Meeting Stakeholder Expectations: Investors, customers, and regulators
now demand transparency and a firm commitment to sustainability. Sustainability
practitioners align companies with these expectations and effectively
communicate sustainability efforts.
• Mitigating Risks: Sustainability experts identify and mitigate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks, safeguarding a company’s reputation
and ensuring long-term resilience.
• Cost Savings: Sustainability professionals identify cost-saving opportunities through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable supply
chain management, enhancing a company’s sustainability profile.
• Navigating Regulations: Sustainability regulations are constantly evolving and complex. Businesses need experts who can navigate this landscape
and ensure compliance.
• Driving Innovation and Competitive Edge: Sustainability practitioners drive innovation through sustainable product development, eco-friendly
processes, and green market opportunities, giving companies a competitive edge.
• Attracting and Retaining Talent: Modern workers value sustainability, and businesses committed to it are more appealing to potential employees.
Sustainability professionals help companies become employers of choice.
• Meeting Market Demand: Consumer preferences favor sustainable products and services. Hiring sustainability practitioners helps businesses
meet these demands and access the growing market for eco-conscious products.
• Future-Proofing: Companies recognise the need to adapt to a changing world, including environmental challenges. Sustainability practitioners
help businesses future-proof their operations and supply chains.
• Enhancing Investor Relations: Sustainable companies often attract socially responsible investors. Sustainability professionals assist in creating
reports and strategies appealing to these investors, potentially increasing access to capital.
• Ethical and Moral Commitment: For many businesses, sustainability reflects a moral and ethical obligation. Hiring sustainability practitioners
demonstrates a commitment to making a positive impact on the environment and society
The Historical Development of Sustainability Challenges in South Africa:
In the aftermath of South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994, the nation embarked on a transformative journey marked by significant progress in
addressing social inequalities and improving access to education, healthcare, and basic amenities for its citizens. However, these positive changes also
revealed vulnerabilities within the country’s natural environment, posing substantial sustainability challenges. South Africa’s abundant natural resources,
unparalleled biodiversity, vast solar energy potential, and stunning landscapes coexisted with a range of pressing sustainability issues.
These challenges include:
• Rapid Urban Expansion: The burgeoning urban areas, driven by population growth, strain resources and spawn informal settlements, exacerbating
the housing crisis. Government-led urban development projects aim to create sustainable cities, but achieving equilibrium between development,
environmental preservation, and resource equity remains intricate.
• Wealth Disparity: Widening income inequality influences environmental matters. Affluent segments access cleaner energy and better living conditions,
while marginalised communities grapple with disproportionate pollution and limited adaptation resources.
• Biodiversity Decline: Biodiversity loss persists due to habitat destruction, poaching, and invasive species. Ongoing conservation efforts seek to
balance economic growth with biodiversity preservation.
• Water Pollution: Water pollution, largely stemming from industrial and agricultural activities, poses a substantial threat. Despite government initiatives
to enhance water quality, enforcing regulations remains a challenge.
• Inefficient Land Use: Inefficient land use practices, particularly in agriculture, impede land productivity and sustainability.
• Air Quality Deterioration: Declining air quality, notably in urban centers, raises health concerns. Stricter emissions standards and cleaner energy
are being promoted, albeit with gradual progress.
In light of these severe challenges facing South Africa’s future, the significance of choosing a career dedicated to sustainability cannot be overstated. Addressing
these sustainability challenges hinges on the implementation of policies, regulations, and the expertise and oversight of professionals. Striking
a harmonious balance between economic development and environmental preservation is crucial for South Africa’s future and the global ecosystem.
Sustainability professionals play pivotal roles in advancing sustainable development and safeguarding the environment, ultimately contributing to South
Africa’s well-being and future prosperity.
Such careers not only offer individuals an opportunity for personal and professional growth but also empower
them to actively participate in addressing South Africa’s pressing environmental and societal issues. By opting for
a sustainability career, individuals become catalysts for positive change, contributing their expertise and passion
to create a more sustainable and equitable future. Their collective efforts, alongside government initiatives and
global collaboration, will be instrumental in ensuring that South Africa and the world move towards a future that
is not only prosperous but also environmentally and socially responsible.
AA1000 Online Training with DQS Academy
Becoming a Certified Sustainability Practitioner!
The AA1000 Online Training consists of just three modules, each designed to empower you
with the knowledge and skills needed to advance sustainability initiatives. This is an exclusive
and comprehensive e-learning program offered by DQS Academy, one of the few accredited
training bodies in the world with the capacity to provide AA1000 Online Training.
Module A - Building the Foundation
Module A serves as the essential introduction to the AA1000 Online Training program. This module
focuses on the AA1000AP (2018) and AA1000SES (2015) standards, which are fundamental to
the practice of sustainability assurance.
Learning Outcomes:
• Gain a deep understanding of the AA1000 standards, which are globally recognised in the
sustainability field.
• Explore the principles of accountability and stakeholder engagement, which form the core of
sustainability practices.
Module B - Becoming a Sustainability Practitioner
This module is known as the Sustainability Practitioner Certificate, and focuses on the application
and reporting of each AccountAbility Principle. Completing this course, in conjunction with Module
A, earns participants the title of Sustainability Practitioner.
Learning Outcomes:
• Develop practical skills in applying sustainability principles to real-world scenarios.
• Learn how to assess, report on, and enhance sustainability performance within organisations.
• Gain insights into sustainability best practices and how they can drive positive change.
Module C - The ACSAP Certification
This module is designed to equip you with the hands-on expertise needed to make a tangible
impact on sustainability practices and is the practitioner-level training in sustainability assurance.
This module focuses on foundational sustainability assurance knowledge using the AA1000AS v3
standard.
Learning Outcomes:
• Deepen your understanding of sustainability assurance practices and principles.
• Gain expertise in assessing and reporting on sustainability performance in a comprehensive
and credible manner.
• Learn how to provide valuable insights and recommendations to organisations seeking to
improve their sustainability practices.
Upon successful completion of this program,
you will achieve the Associate
Certified Sustainability Assurance
Practitioner (ACSAP) qualification. This
achievement represents a substantial
milestone on your path toward acquiring
more advanced certifications, including
the prestigious Practicing Certified
Sustainability Assurance Practitioner
(PCSAP) and the esteemed Lead CSAP
Practitioner (LCSAP) qualifications.
These higher-level certifications open
doors to rewarding career opportunities
and leadership roles in the field of
sustainability, equipping you to make
a meaningful impact on organisations,
communities, and the environment in
South Africa, and abroad.
www.dqsglobal.com
Scan Here to Enrol in Module A
Scan Here to Enrol in Module B
Scan Here to Enrol in Module C