Courses Available Online, Virtually and Classroom
Fully Certified NEBOSH, IOSH, IEMA Accredited
7-Day Customer Service
Steve Terry

What is sustainable business?

Read a special piece from our Managing Director about sustainable business and how our continued enivronmental efforts are making a difference.

November 2021

If the past eighteen months have taught us anything, we cannot take anything for granted. We do not know what is around the corner. This, however, does not mean we cannot prepare for whatever circumstance we find ourselves in. Climate change is one of the most significant exceptions to that rule; we know it’s happening, and we MUST tackle it head-on.

Having had International Sustainability Week in the last few weeks and more recently the conclusion of COP26 in Glasgow, it seems only apt that I share my thoughts with you.

This piece will look to answer the question ‘What is a sustainable business?’. It will touch on how we all must do our bit to approach climate change from a corporate perspective. I will outline the different levels of sustainability in business and how Astutis fit into those levels. I will also be looking into the concept of a sustainable business and how Astutis continues to fight for the future of our beautiful planet.


Doing more with less

Defining sustainability and sustainable business is important to understand how they differ. Firstly, sustainability is about meeting people’s needs, now and in the future, whilst getting back within environmental limits. Essentially, this means significant improvements in environmental and social performance while remaining economically viable. In short, sustainability assures intergenerational equity.

The most basic concept of sustainable business can be explained as “doing more with less”. Besides sustainable production and consumption, it also means being more efficient and minimising the negative impact on the environment and humanity.

Managing and developing businesses sustainably involves doing more than is demanded by laws and regulations. It requires an individual or business to take ownership of their actions and to change them. Sustainable development meets today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their own.

Management of sustainability can categorised into three dimensions that together contribute to sustainable development:

  • Economic - profit
  • Environmental - planet
  • Social – people

All three dimensions affect each other. Each can subtract or add to another. But if all three elements are infused just right, it can create a prospering profitable, sustainable and sociable business.

Levels of sustainability in business

At Astutis, we take immense pride in our position as industry leaders in health, safety and environmental training. We aspire to educate and inform those looking out for others. We aim to make the world a safer place for everyone. We are aware that we must continue to find ways to limit our impact on the planet with that goal.

We asked those who follow us on our social platforms to reveal whether their business has strategies or plans in place to combat climate change. Thankfully, those who responded revealed good news, that corporate agendas are beginning to place their crosshairs over the issue of climate change. Half of all businesses concerned are focusing on climate change suggesting this number will only rise as time goes on. This is welcome news, but nothing to cheer for just yet.

Below are the universally recognised levels of sustainability in business:

Level 1: A company that has no systematic way of managing environmental impact. Their biggest concern is the fine over non-compliance, and the leadership team has a little-to-no understanding of the risks associated with poor environmental performance.

Level 2: A business with an environmental management system with procedures to minimise their impact. They understand environmental legislation and adopt a risk-based approach to minimise pollution across their sites. The leadership team understand their responsibilities helping to mitigate all risks of potential prosecution.

Level 3: Environmental sustainability is at the heart of the business. It’s embedded across all functions and the supply chain as a primary business objective. They’re driven by how the environment can impact the business long term. So, their business model considers both the impact they have on the environment and the impact the environment has on them. Environmentally sustainable products and services are the norm, and they have established a competitive edge amongst their stakeholders and the wider marketplace.

 

Where does Astutis fit into this model?

Our trajectory and journey in the health, safety and environmental training sector have always pointed to our business being firmly in the social camp. Our determination to continually put our learners first has elevated us to quickly become one of the most respected training providers in the UK. Our reputation is spreading across the globe.

As I discussed in my previous blog, the COVID-19 pandemic gave us time to think about our next steps as a business. The pandemic meant learners were no longer able to attend classroom courses, instead transitioning to online learning. We have emphasised and welcomed this change as it radically reduces travel pollution. Our Virtual Learning Academy will be saving approximately 1,650,000 miles a yearWe will continue to offer traditional classroom courses to those who prefer them.

Our pride in our customer service means we will always strive to accommodate all learners, including those who feel online learning is not for them. This is why we introduced the Virtual Classroom, a fresh training experience, infusing the intimacy and traditional format of classroom learning with the sustainable and cost-effective benefits of virtual learning. The Virtual Classroom is not a Microsoft PowerPoint substitute. It moves the tutor-learner dynamic to the virtual setting; it completely eliminates the need for travel, making it an entirely environmentally friendly experience.

We have always viewed it as hugely beneficial to engage the entire business. Engraving the core principles of sustainability changes the DNA of the company. It ensures the whole business moves in the same direction, which is critical for efficiency and output. Therefore, we have committed to cutting back our physical notes and turning our attention to innovative techniques, including engaging audio and visual content. This commitment has already affected our environmental impact. 

Our steps to function as a primarily social business is obvious as a health and safety training provider, however there have been progressive steps on the environmental side. These steps has allowed us to invest in carbon-neutral courses going forward. It goes without saying that our desire to lead as an environmentally friendly training provider must not negatively affect learner success. With that in mind, I am proud to report that delegate pass rates have increased by 5% from pre-pandemic levels, with a higher proportion of non-physical classroom learners.

Sustainability is about meeting people’s needs, now and in the future, whilst getting back within environmental limits. This means significant improvements in environmental and social performance while remaining economically viable. In short, sustainability assures intergenerational equity.

Our goal is to train the world, making it a healthier and safer place in the process, not only ensuring our generation is safe but also for future generations to come. Educating with increasingly sustainable solutions continues to reward the learner and encourages Astutis to be your training provider of choice.

 

Long may this continue,

Steve Terry, Managing Director, Astutis.

Related Blogs

  • RIDDOR for Agriculture: Reporting Requirements and Common Mistakes Image
    Andrew Froude B.Eng (Hons), CMIOSH, MIIRSM, OSHCR

    RIDDOR for Agriculture: Reporting Requirements and Common Mistakes

    Find out the key reporting requirements for RIDDOR in the agricultural industry and the most common mistakes associated with them.
    19.05.25
  • Free Cost-Benefit Analysis Template for Health and Safety: A Practical Guide Image
    Andrew Froude B.Eng (Hons), CMIOSH, MIIRSM, OSHCR

    Free Cost-Benefit Analysis Template for Health and Safety: A Practical Guide

    Download your free cost-benefit analysis template and read our step-by-step use guide to make positive changes in your workplace.
    15.05.25
  • Why Do Managers Need to Be Health and Safety Trained? Image
    William Gaunt

    Why Do Managers Need to Be Health and Safety Trained?

    Understand the moral, legal, and financial reasoning behind training managers in health and safety, with information on what managers should know about their role.
    15.05.25
  • What Is an Environmental Management System? | Business Guide & Benefits Image
    Steve Terry

    What Is an Environmental Management System? | Business Guide & Benefits

    Find out the core principles behind an environmental management system (EMS) and how they benefit business sustainability goals.
    14.05.25
  • Health and Safety Training Grants for IOSH Courses | A Guide for Businesses Image
    Jim Anderson CMIOSH, MIIRSM, AIEMA

    Health and Safety Training Grants for IOSH Courses | A Guide for Businesses

    Find out the grant options available for businesses to fund IOSH courses, so you can receive financial support for your employee's training.
    12.05.25
  • Who is Responsible for Health and Safety in the Workplace? Image
    Brenig Moore DipNEBOSH, CMIOSH, CEnvH

    Who is Responsible for Health and Safety in the Workplace?

    Find out the legal health and safety responsibilities of employees and employers in the workplace, with expert guidance on how to fulfil them.
    12.05.25
Section Curve
Case Studies

Real Life Stories

Find out how learners look back on their training with Astutis. Our case studies give our learners, both individual and corporate, a platform to share their Astutis experience. Discover how training with Astutis has helped past learners and delegates make the world a safer place, one course at a time.
More Image
Bottom Curve
What People Say

Hear What Our Learners Have To Say

We're always there for our customers. 98% of our learners rated their overall experience as good or outstanding. We will always pride ourselves on our customer service. But don’t take our word for it, here is what our customers have to say
  • "The course its self was very well presented and included valuable information. the tutor was very knowledgeable and was able to provide us with real life examples to help understand further. My only downside was the lack or exam practice within the course, the tutor allowed for students to practice exam questions and submit to him for feedback and opened the class half an hour earlier for people to attend to discuss the results. However, this topic was not covered as part of the cause so if you could not attend earlier or have time to submit after you have no feedback on completing the exam questions and no prep for how you should be responding."

    Samantha
    12.05.2025
  • "The course content was very valuable."

    Samantha
    12.05.2025
  • "It was my first time and great learning experience with ASTUTIS"

    22.04.2025
  • "It was great learning experience in sustainability"

    22.04.2025
  • "Very helpful no complaints bit long in the email process but they always got back to me eventually and had the information I needed when requested"

    Antony
    22.04.2025
  • "The course was informative I did need to buy the nebosh course book also as online account eventually got closed and I had to save all documents that were available but overall did well"

    Antony
    22.04.2025
  • "Clear and concise. A lot of information delivered in an easy to digest format. Trainer was engaging and positive, as well as easy to talk to and ask questions. Tech was good and all the materials provided/used were/are helpful."

    Kerrina
    09.04.2025
  • "Clear and concise. A lot of information delivered in an easy to digest format. Trainer was engaging and positive, as well as easy to talk to and ask questions. Tech was good and all the materials provided/used were/are helpful."

    Kerrina
    09.04.2025
  • "excellent trainer easy to follow and good mixture of team discussions."

    Keith
    03.04.2025
  • "covered a lot of my day to day tasks, easy to follow on the second week, found the first week it difficult to see what was required and understand."

    Keith
    03.04.2025