Devised in collaboration with GreenEdge, powered by VirtualBook and supported by the WWF-SA, the six-week course includes case studies, a template on which to build sustainability plans, exercises and self-assessments, and a host of links to useful material.
"Businesses that don't act to minimise their impact on the environment face a number or risks," says Brigitte Burnett, head of sustainability at Nedbank.
"Managing these risks effectively can result in cost savings, produce new products, create sustainable markets and community goodwill, and enhance corporate reputations."
BDFM's project manager, Terry Shapiro, is delighted with the early response to the course, which she hopes will put at least 2000 South African companies on the path to sustainability.
The course has been designed to involve roughly four hours' work a week, depending on the complexity of the business involved. She says the course has been structured into "bite-sized chunks" that can be completed online on a weekly basis. Participants should emerge from it with a sustainability framework for their organisations, developed module by module.
The course is aimed at introducing companies of any size in any industry to greening and environmental sustainability and to help them establish what is required to measure their environmental status and risks, formulate policy in line with legislative requirements and international environmental trends, and place themselves on the road to sustainability.
The first 2000 participants to register online will receive the course free of charge, along with a three-month subscription to the e-edition of Business Day. Once the free run is over, the course will be sold on CD.
The VirtualBook format simulates the look and feel of a traditional book, and provides familiar study aids such as highlighters and other interactive tools.
Once all the tests have been completed, participants will be able to download a certificate confirming that they have participated in the course.
Registering for the 'Greening Your Business' course can be done via accessing the Green Your Business link on Business Day's home page at www.businessday.co.za.
