Short Learning Programme in Risks & Socio-Environmental Sustainability

Purpose

We are in the middle of the Anthropocene, a period characterized by a global environmental crisis (e.g., the ongoing 6th mass extinction, climate change, environmental injustice, etc.) whose consequences on our social fabric are now a matter of concern. This crisis is mainly driven by the unsustainable use of environmental assets in combination with ill-informed decisions whose impacts could be felt across generations. Under the business-as-usual scenario, we risk losing the ecosystem services on which humans rely for their survival. As a result, the future of the human species itself is compromised. In this context, the present SLP aims to train current and future leaders on risk prevention, risk assessment and risk management towards more sustainable human-environment interactions.

Students who complete the short learning programme in risk and socio-environmental sustainability will acquire a number of competencies and skills. This SLP will enable students to be professionally competent and to become acquainted with the different procedures in environmental risk assessment as well as basic skills in understanding social and environmental sustainability and its relevance for organizations in their different contexts.

This learning programme is developed in line with some of the objectives of the National Skills Development Strategy III of the Department of Higher Education and Training, notably Goal 4.2 and Chapter 5.  Goal 4.2 is set to increase access to occupationally‐directed programmes that are in line with (1) Learning Pathways for High-Level Skills; (2)  Learning Programme Regulations; (3) the Higher Education Qualifications and Skills Framework; (4) the SETA Grant Regulations; and the (5) Professional Graduate Pathway Report. On the other hand, Chapter 5 lays emphasis on the acquisition of green skills for a green economy and makes recommendations for future green skills development in South Africa. Similarly, the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) identifies the green economy as one of the three priority areas for scaling up meanwhile the Environmental Sector Skills Plan for South Africa (ESSA) describes the status quo with regard to the demand and supply of environmental skills, and provides information on scarce and critical skills in the sector from a supply and demand perspective.

Students who complete the short learning programme in risk and socio-environmental sustainability will acquire a number of competencies and skills. This SLP will enable students to be professionally competent and to become acquainted with the different procedures in environmental risk assessment as well as basic skills in social and environmental sustainability and its relevance for organizations in their different contexts.

Curriculum

The course content is summarized in 5 themes summarized as follows:

Theme 1: Environmental and social governance: A brief Introduction

• The objectives of environmental and social governance
• Explaining the importance of environmental and social governance
• Key themes in environmental and social governance

Theme 2: Environmental, economic and social risk assessment:

• Understand and explain the concept of sustainable finance
• Categorize environmental and social risks
• Conduct environmental and social risks assessment
• Provide mitigation options of risks
• Understand the management of environmental and social risks
• Environmental Auditing

Theme 3: Environmental aspects of sustainability:

• Explain global environmental concerns.
• Explain the concept of carbon footprint
• Provide options for cleaner production
• Provide ways to prevent pollution
• Contribute strategies to meeting SDGs 2030

Theme 4: Social aspects of sustainability:

• Explain the five dimensions of social sustainability
• Discuss the importance of social sustainability
• Recommend options towards achieving social sustainability within an organization

Theme 5: Sustainability reporting:

• Understand overview of reporting standards
• Understand material topics and boundaries
• Present and compile a sustainability report

Admission Requirements

The proposed SLP is developed to cater for current university graduates but also novice professionals specializing in environmental management whether at entry level of the job grading continuum or already at post school academic environment.  A qualification corresponding to NQF5 in any discipline is required. This implies that, even if you do not have a solid background in environmental management or science, you can still apply, given that you will be introduced to basic relevant concepts at the start of the course.

Selection Process

Fill the application form (below) and send it to  bopakip@uj.ac.za along with supporting documents. Then you will receive feedback informing you that you qualify or not for the programme (a minimum of NQ5 qualification is required).

If you qualify, then you will have to submit your application online following the process explained below. Through the online application process, your student number will be generated (if you were once a UJ student, you will have to use your old student number). After generating your student number online, specify it on the application form and email it to  bopakip@uj.ac.za. Send these documents before or on 15 February 2025, for the first batch of students who will start the course on March 1^st 2025 and before or on April 30^th 2025, for the second batch who will start on May 17^th 2025.

For further information, contact:

Dr. Lee-Ann Sade Modley 

Programme coordinator

Dept. of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies University of Johannesburg

P.O. Box 524

Auckland Park 2006

Tel. No. (011) 559-3928

E-mail: lee-annm@uj.ac.za (preferably).

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