Level 1 Award in Environmental Sustainability

Course Introduction

This unit provides an introduction to the Level 1 Award in Environmental Sustainability course. It outlines the structure of the course and how the rest of the modules and units cover the course content.

Understanding Environmental Sustainability

To get the course underway, we start by examining different definitions and viewpoints of environmental sustainability. We then move on to look at the idea of sustainable development and how prosperity underpins this.

Sustainability Models

This section looks at different sustainability models as well as the three strands of sustainable development.

Excess Consumption and the Problems Caused

Next, we explore the concept of excess consumption and highlight the problems it can cause. In addition, we'll also take a look at how to measure environmental sustainability through concepts such as ecological footprint, carbon footprint and biocapacity.

The Ways that Individuals Impact the Environment

To round off our first module, we home in on ways that individuals impact the environment and how you as an individual can make significant changes that will have a positive impact on the environment. This unit also explains how the end-of-module progress tests work.

The Importance of Natural Resources

To kick off our second module, we examine different natural resources, their uses, and how to categorise natural resources.

Resource Categorisation by Availability

Continuing our exploration of natural resources, this section focuses on the different types of renewable and non-renewable resources.

Sustainability Issues Related to Natural Resources Part 1

Now we'll turn our attention to the sustainability issues related to natural resources. In this first part, we'll focus on issues surrounding sustainable water and soil use.

Sustainability Issues Related to Natural Resources Part 2

For part 2 of the sustainability issues related to natural resources, we'll look at the problems of overfishing and deforestation, as well as air pollution and the importance of carbon sinks.

Sustainability Issues Related to Natural Resources Part 3

For the final unit of module 2, we consider different renewable and non-renewable energy sources, and their effects on climate change. In addition, we explore the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We then round off the unit with a case study.

How Goods and Services are Created

To get our third module underway, we begin by describing how resources are adapted to create goods and services, which then make their way through the supply chain. We additionally explain the importance of moving from a linear economy to a circular economy.

Environmental Impacts of Waste and How they might be Reduced Part 1

Now we'll begin to take a deeper dive on each of the global environmental impacts, starting with waste. Here, we look at how waste is managed, the concept of the waste hierarchy, and different methods of waste disposal. We'll also introduce you to life cycle thinking.

Environmental Impacts of Waste and How they might be Reduced Part 2

Continuing with our focus on waste, this section examines food waste, and plastic pollution and recycling. We then outline the UN's targets for responsible production and consumption, and describe ways that you as an individual can reduce the impact of waste.

Environmental Impacts of Energy Use and How they might be Reduced Part 1

Our next environmental impact focuses on energy use as we explore the world's energy problem, energy poverty, and different sources of energy, such as hydropower, wind power, and solar power.

Environmental Impacts of Energy Use and How they might be Reduced Part 2

Sticking with the topic of energy use, we're going to look at some more energy sources, such as geothermal energy, biomass, and nuclear. We'll then conclude the unit by examining the UN's targets regarding energy and climate action, as well as ways that you as an individual can reduce the impact of energy use.

Environmental Impacts of Water Use and How they might be Reduced Part 1

Moving onto water use now, we'll explain water security and its link to climate change, and examine the different uses of water in agriculture, industry and households.

Environmental Impacts of Water Use and How they might be Reduced Part 2

To complete our view on the environmental impacts of water use, this section looks at unsafe water and the problems of pollution. We then consider UN targets for clean water and sanitation, as well as how you as an individual can reduce the impact of your own water usage.

Environmental Impacts of Transport and How they might be Reduced

For our final unit of module 3, we look at the transport sector's environmental impacts, from the link between transport usage and carbon dioxide emissions, to carbon zero transport. We then conclude the module with another case study.

Sustainable Communites

For our final module of content, we shift our focus to sustainable communities and outline the principles of a sustainable society. We'll also introduce you to different types of sustainable communities and explain the United Nations' Sustainable Cities indicators and targets.

Local and Global Benefits of Sustainable Communities

In the last unit of module 4, we look at the benefits of sustainable communities from both a local perspective, such as community living and sustainable urban planning, and a global point of view, such as green infrastructure, sustainable construction, and green rainwater management. We'll then round off the unit with a final case study.

Revision 1

In this first unit of revision, we'll be revisiting key information from the first module that you will need to know for your exam. In particular, we will use different activities to revise the three strands of sustainable development, excess consumption and the problems it can cause, and ways that individuals impact the environment.

Revision 2

Next, we'll revise natural resources.

Revision 3

This unit recaps how goods and services are created from natural resources, and the impacts of waste, energy, water usage and transport. It also revises how each of these might be reduced.

Revision 4

Our penultimate revision unit revisits the concept of a sustainable community, and its local and global benefits.

Preparation for your Exam

This unit outlines the equipment you will need to take your exam online, what happens when you send us your exam booking form, the process for setting up your devices in preparation for your exam, and some handy exam tips.