Sustainability SUST

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Advising Assessing, applying, advising on and leading environmental sustainability initiatives practices to reduce environmental impact impacts and ensure compliance with relevant meet organisational objectives, standards and regulations. obligations.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

Proposed changes for SFIA 10

The proposed changes recognise that sustainability capability is practised both through specialist sustainability roles and through sustainability responsibilities embedded in other professional roles.

Adding Level 3 gives clearer recognition to practitioners who apply established sustainability methods, assess impacts and make recommendations within defined areas. The existing Level 4 is revised because, as the current lowest level, it also carries work that can more appropriately be distinguished at Level 3.

The skill description, guidance and Levels 4–6 are adjusted to create a clearer progression from applying sustainability practice through to organisational leadership, while maintaining boundaries with other SFIA skills.

Guidance notes

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Sustainability in SFIA describes professional practice focused on environmental sustainability in digital and technology activities. It may be used in specialist sustainability roles or as a distinct responsibility within broader roles. insert: 

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

developing policies, applying sustainability methods, standards and guidelines to minimise the environmental impact of IT operations and assets. assessment criteria
providing advice on assessing environmental impacts, risks, trade-offs and improvement opportunities using relevant evidence insert: </li>

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interpreting sustainability requirements, regulations and standards. standards
establishing and monitoring sustainability metrics measures, baselines and benchmarks. benchmarks insert: </li>

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recommending and coordinating actions to reduce environmental impact insert: </li>

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developing sustainability policies, standards, guidelines and governance arrangements
promoting adoption of sustainability practices across products, services, operations, assets and communicating sustainability policies and programmes. delete: </li> delete: <li> overseeing the implementation of sustainable practices in hardware, software, networks, storage, power supply, maintenance and asset disposal. supply chains.

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Sustainability considerations may also be embedded in other SFIA skills. Where the primary work is architecture, engineering, operations, finance, sourcing or another professional practice, the relevant skill should be used; SUST applies where the work includes distinct sustainability assessment, advice, methods, governance or leadership. insert: 

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...

Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.

Where higher levels are not defined...

Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities

Where higher levels are not defined...

You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Sustainability: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

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Applies established sustainability methods, standards and criteria to defined areas of work.

Uses and interprets relevant evidence to assess environmental impacts and conformance with agreed requirements.

Identifies sustainability issues and improvement opportunities and makes recommendations within established practices.

Communicates findings and supports the implementation and monitoring of agreed sustainability measures.

Sustainability: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

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Assesses sustainability implications of changes, products, services or operational practices involving multiple or competing factors. insert: 

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Selects and reports on how different tactical decisions affect sustainability. applies appropriate sustainability methods and measures to evaluate options, risks and trade-offs. insert: 

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Provides guidance to stakeholders and coordinates implementation of agreed sustainability measures within a defined area.

Evaluates factors effectiveness and risks (political, legislative, technological, economic, social) that impact on operational processes and strategic direction. recommends corrective or further action.

delete:  Evaluates and reports on the implementation of sustainability measures in specific areas. delete: 

Sustainability: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

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Provides expert authoritative advice and guidance on planning, designing and implementing sustainability solutions. practices within a significant area.

Evaluates Selects and selects adapts sustainability methods, tools and practices to be used measures in line with agreed organisational policies and standards.

Ensures sustainability assessments and practices are applied consistently and effectively. insert: 

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Identifies opportunities to improve organisational sustainability approaches and recommends improvements to the organisation's approach to sustainability. changes.

Sustainability: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

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Develops and promotes leads implementation of organisational sustainability strategies, policies, standards and guidelines governance arrangements for sustainability. digital and technology activities.

Leads the introduction and use adoption of sustainability techniques, methodologies methods, measures and tools. practices across significant areas of the organisation.

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Engages senior stakeholders to influence priorities, investment and decisions affecting sustainability outcomes. insert: 

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Monitors external developments and their implications for organisational sustainability approaches. insert: 

Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.