Sustainability

Know what sustainability means. 

The ability to meet current needs without compromising on future generations’ ability to meet their needs, requiring reduced use of non-renewable resources.

Impact on environment of continued use of non-sustainable/environmentally damaging resources (e.g. global warming, climate change, biodiversity loss).

Potential threat to life/lifestyles for future generations – air and water quality; cost of energy; availability of resources; biodiversity loss; greater inequities across the world as energy prices rise.

Responsibility of businesses as biggest consumers (as opposed to individuals) to act and governments to make laws to require businesses and individuals to operate sustainably. 

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Give a definition of sustainability. 

• 1.2

  Give reasons why it is important for countries and businesses to operate sustainably. 

Know how human activity is threatening sustainability. 

Human behaviours to include travel, energy consumption; farming; use of plastics; disposal of waste.

Threatening sustainability because of over-reliance on non-renewables; intensive practices that threaten ability to renew resources such as intensive farming; negative impact on environment, e.g. climate change, biodiversity loss.

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Outline the main ways in which human activity is threatening sustainability. 

Know about sustainability goals and targets. 

Awareness of a range of UN sustainable development goals; focus on key goals, including:

• net-zero emissions, particularly decarbonisation
• limiting increase in global warming to less than 2%

Identification of national/global targets particularly relevant to a chosen sector or, where they exist, sector-specific targets (e.g. Construction 2025 targets).

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  State the importance of different global sustainability goals. 

• 3.2

  Outline key sustainability targets relevant to a chosen sector. 

Know how a business or sector is working towards achieving sustainability. 

Actions of a particular sector or business could include:

• using sustainable materials in the manufacturing process
• sourcing components more locally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• setting up a lift-share or cycle grant scheme for employees

Simple explanations of how each contributes to sustainability (e.g. reduce demand for fossil fuel).

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1

  Describe ways in which a chosen business or sector is working to help achieve sustainability.