A practical guide to implementing low-cost sustainability measures that reduce your carbon footprint, cut costs, and drive long-term commercial success.
The last decade has seen the hottest temperatures on record, with climate change posing a critical threat to global systems. However, transformative action across the business sector can reverse environmental damage while delivering significant economic benefits. Making a Start with Business Sustainability is a practical, accessible course designed to help small and medium-sized organizations implement sustainable practices immediately. Led by tutor Ross Maynard, this course moves beyond theory to focus on low-cost, actionable steps that you can take now to make your organization more resilient, responsible, and profitable.
This course demonstrates that business sustainability is not merely a marketing exercise or charity; it is a financially viable model that balances profitability with environmental stewardship. You will explore the urgent context of climate change and discover the strong commercial case for sustainability, including risk reduction, cost savings, and increased revenue. By viewing operations through the lens of the three pillars—Environmental, Social, and Economic—you will learn how to build a strategy that attracts customers, retains talent, and satisfies investors.
Throughout the lessons, you will be guided through the technical and practical aspects of measuring and improving your environmental impact. The course breaks down complex frameworks like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and provides tools for auditing your current position. You will learn how to identify sources of emissions, gather data, and calculate your organization's carbon footprint using standard conversion factors. Furthermore, the curriculum covers essential resource management, offering strategies to monitor and conserve water, as well as methods to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste within a circular economy mindset.
This course will help you achieve the following learning outcomes:
Whether you are a business owner, a manager, or an employee championing change, this course provides the knowledge and tools to move from intention to action. By the end of this journey, you will have a clear inventory of your environmental impact and a robust plan to improve your governance, supply chain, and operational efficiency. Start where you are, use what you have, and build a future-proof business today.
Business author and consultant, specialising in performance measurement and improvement
I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in the UK and work as an author of business courses and a process improvement consultant. I have over 30 years' experience and live near Stirling in Scotland, with my wife, daughter and Cocker Spaniel. I aim to make my courses accessible and understandable. My courses focus on business topics including KPIs, performance measurement, approaches to business improvement, Agile and Lean. I hope you enjoy my courses.
