SLP 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 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 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 basic skills in social and environmental sustainability and its relevance for organizations in their different contexts. 

Curriculum

Course content

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

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

Departmental selection process.

More Information

Please use the following application Specific Token when applying: SCISLP

Mode of lectures and Fees

Lectures will be delivered using online platforms (Zoom or Teams), given the ongoing covid-19 pandemic. As soon as the pandemic is over, students will have a choice to make between online and face-to-face sessions depending on which option suits each student best. If, for any reason, there is a need to switch from one mode to another, this will be communicated on time by lecturers to all students.

The fee for online sessions is R8,770 whereas that of face-to-face sessions is R10,770.

The fee is payable in advance during registration (If a student discontinues a percentage of this fee can be refunded depending on the date of discontinuation). Please take note that if your employer is going to pay the fees, all arrangements for these payments must be made by the students themselves. If the employer pays the amount via a bank transfer, evidence of payment must be provided during the registration and the student number must be used as reference.

Please take notice of the fact that the university might charge a further administrative fee towards new students not previously enrolled at this university to account for the process of capturing personal data onto the computer system.