The existing industrial linear model of “take–make–waste” and burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil, which are finite energy sources, has led to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. This has adverse climate impacts including rising sea levels and global warming. The increasing global population and urbanization are further accelerating climate change due to increases in demand. To provide future generations opportunities to meet their needs without additional harm to the environment, international efforts like the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and the UN 2030 SDGs call for urgent action and collaboration.

On its part, the APO conceptualized Green Productivity (GP) in 1994 which is in line with these initiatives. GP aims to strengthen the triple bottom line of enterprises comprising productivity enhancement, social justice, and environmental protection. The GP framework, including its six-step and 13-task methodology, is based on the plan–do–check–act cycle. GP tools and techniques guide businesses to achieve growth and profitability with the least impact on the environment.

This e-course includes five video-based modules. The first module emphasizes the need to take urgent actions for sustainable development and mitigate climate change through adoption of sustainability concepts and frameworks such as GP. The second module provides an overview of the GP methodology showcasing a step-by-step approach to implementation at an enterprise level. The subsequent modules elaborate on GP tools and techniques such as brainstorming, Gantt charts, ecomapping, waste reduction, design for the environment, product redesign, etc. The modules also include relevant case studies showing that the adoption of the GP framework leads to profitability, overall well-being of human resources, and minimizing the adverse impacts of industrial activity on the environment. In addition, videos are presented illustrating similarities with other well-known sustainability concepts such as the circular economy.

Course Objectives:

The main objectives of this course are:

• Enhance participants’ knowledge of the GP concept for cleaner industrialization.
• Gain insights into applications of GP methodology, tools, and techniques.
• Examine approaches to implementing GP tools and techniques at enterprise level for productivity enhancement, profitability, and better environmental performance.

Course Modules

This e-learning course will cover the following modules: 
Module 1: Sustainable development: A call for action 
Module 2: GP: Overview and methodology 
Module 3: GP tools 
Module 4: GP techniques 
Module 5: Approaches to implementing GP tools and techniques

Important Notes:

1. Participants who register to take this course and pass the final examination with a score of 70% or higher will be eligible to receive the APO certificate. Please note that the final examination can be taken only once. Therefore, the most appropriate time to take the examination should be chosen carefully. The self-assessment quizzes are for personal evaluation only and are not related to the final examination results.
2. Participants who perform well in this course and receive the APO certificate will be given preference, on a merit basis, for selection to attend follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO projects on similar topics, when nominated by their NPOs and if slots are available.
3. Notes 1 and 2 are applicable only to participants from APO member countries. Participants from nonmember countries are welcome to take the course for self-improvement, although they will not have an opportunity to attend the follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO projects.
4. Each module is in a prerecorded video format in which the expert delivers presentations by explaining each slide. Participants can access the video by clicking on the link provided under the title of each module.