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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of human sustainability 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264459  Demonstrate an understanding of human sustainability 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Environmental Science, Env Mgt and Waste Mgt 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The purpose of this standard is to provide the learner with an understanding of the concept of sustainability. In addition learners will acquire knowledge of the impact that humans have on the environment and vice-versa, as well as aspects of human vulnerability.

Learners credited with this standard will be capable of:
  • Demonstrating knowledge of the dynamics of human-environment relationships.
  • Describing the influence of political, economic and social processes on the environment.
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the concept of human vulnerability.
  • Investigating alternative resources/ways to protect the environment and prevent depletion of vital resources. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the dynamics of human-environment relationships. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ways in which particular societies impact on the environment are described in terms of how they differ in the use of resources and pollution levels. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to hunter-gatherer, pastoral, agricultural and industrial societies.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Changes in the availability of resources are described in terms of the organisation of particular societies that emphasise the interaction between society and the environment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to landmark developments, for example, the industrial revolution.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Changes in social organisation are described in terms of changes in the environment that emphasise the interaction between society and the environment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Changes include human demographics, levels of consumption, pollution.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the influence of political, economic and social processes on the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Major political, economic and social processes and organisations that have influenced environmental challenges within a particular context are identified and described in terms of how human activity continuously impacts on the environment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    At least three processes are discussed.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Processes and organisations that have influenced environmental challenges within a particular context are assessed to gauge the extent of the impact on the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Processes and organisations that could help to resolve environmental challenges within a particular context are identified and described in terms of the potential that exists to intervene to preserve the environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of human vulnerability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of human vulnerability is explained in relation to actions and their consequences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The concept of human resilience is explained in terms of adapting to new circumstances and conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The trends that combine to cause or increase human vulnerability are outlined and explained in terms of the power of these trends to impact on society. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes but not limited to poverty, climatic change, sanitation, lack of resilience.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The way in which human vulnerability assessments are made is explained for various circumstances. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Investigate alternative resources/ways to protect the environment and prevent depletion of vital resources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The use of firewood and methane as a source of energy are contrasted in terms of viability for the long term. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Converting feedstock (plant material) into compost is investigated as a practical way of reusing current resources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The concept of mass balance is explained to show the environmental impact of resource use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Techniques to use water optimally are investigated that will prevent the depletion of this vital resource. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Human-environment relationships.
  • Political, economic and social processes.
  • Human vulnerability.
  • Alternate resources of energy. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Identifying particular ways to conserve resources.
  • The counterbalanced lift truck for application.
  • Dealing with problems pertaining to the lifting machine. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively when:
  • Exploring human-environment relations.
  • Discussing political, economic and social processes that impact on the environment.
  • Explaining the concept human vulnerability.
  • Exploring alternate energy resources to preserve vital resources like water and firewood. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to:
  • Select ways of obtaining and using alternate resources. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66789   National Certificate: Environmental Management  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  LG SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Giamanje TVET College 
    2. IQ Skills Academy (PTY) LTD. 
    3. Jobafrik Consulting 
    4. Josmap Training Institute 
    5. Lewerb Holdings (PTY) Ltd 
    6. Makhuba Development Projects CC 
    7. Mamuhle Academy 
    8. Maxlen Holdings 
    9. Mementos Training Pty Ltd 
    10. Petra Institute of Development 
    11. PFIM Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    12. Progressive School of Business and Engineering (Pty) 
    13. Reflections Development Institute 
    14. Sebenzisanane Human Capital 
    15. Tasc Business Consulting and Training 
    16. Thando Consulting Services 
    17. Timothy Fasheun Group Enviromentors (Pty) Ltd 
    18. Transafric Consulting Pty Ltd 
    19. Triplo 4 Sustainable Solutions (PTY) LTD 
    20. Vhutshilo Health And Training Organisation 
    21. Wildlife and Enviroment Society of South Africa 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.