What is Root Cause Analysis — and why it matters for Sustainability

The simple mindset shift that turns one-off fixes into lasting sustainability gains.

Behind every recurring environmental problem lies a hidden cause — something deeper than what we first see. Root Cause Analysis helps us dig for that cause and fix it properly.

At Enviro Courses, we’ve watched sustainability teams transform once they stop firefighting and start investigating. A recycling programme that keeps failing may reveal unclear responsibilities; a rising carbon footprint might trace back to outdated equipment or processes. Tools like the 5 Whys or Fishbone Diagram make these patterns visible. In this section, we unpack how “thinking like a detective” leads to smarter, longer-term solutions. When you uncover the real reason behind a problem, sustainability becomes less about maintaining effort and more about removing friction — permanently.