Homeschool Guide: These lesson plans are a guide for parents. Content may contain errors — always cross-reference with official exam board specifications.

global issues & sustainability

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4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: global issues & sustainability

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Write down everything you already know about global issues & sustainability. Then check against the key terms: key terms from global issues & sustainability. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: key terms from global issues & sustainability.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: global issues & sustainability. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Citizenship Studies because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look

Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: explain the key ideas of global issues & sustainability

Plenary (5 minutes)

Check Out

Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about global issues & sustainability.

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: global issues & sustainability

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on global issues & sustainability. Check them against the notes below.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Key Fact: Climate change is one of the greatest global challenges, caused by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. The Paris Agreement (2015) aims to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Key Fact: The UK has committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 — the first major economy to do so. This requires transforming energy, transport, and industry. The Climate Change Committee monitors progress.
Key Fact: Extreme poverty has declined globally but inequality persists both between and within nations. The richest 1% own nearly half the world's wealth. Global cooperation on trade, aid, and debt relief is essential.
Key Fact: The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set 17 targets for a better world by 2030, including: no poverty, zero hunger, quality education, gender equality, clean water, climate action, and reduced inequalities.
Key Fact: Global health crises like COVID-19 demonstrate the need for international cooperation — viruses do not respect borders, and vaccine distribution requires global coordination.
Key Fact: Conflicts and refugees are global issues: over 100 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide. The UNHCR coordinates refugee protection, but host countries bear most responsibility.

Practice (10 minutes)

Q: explain the key ideas of global issues & sustainability

Answer:

Plenary (5 minutes)

Explain Back

Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.

Lesson 3: Application: global issues & sustainability

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Recall the key terms: key terms from global issues & sustainability. Define each in one sentence.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.

Work through the practice questions on the revision notes page for this topic.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Error Review

Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: global issues & sustainability

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Command Words

Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).

Main Content (35 minutes)

Extended Answer

Extended question: Full-Mark Response Evaluate the view that global citizenship requires individuals to take action on climate change. [12 marks] <div class="

Global citizenship implies individuals have responsibilities beyond their own nation, and climate change is the defining global challenge. As global citizens, individuals should take action because everyday choices — energy use, travel, diet, consumption — directly contribute to carbon emissions. Individual action demonstrates commitment and can influence others. Democratic participation is also individual action: citizens can vote for parties with strong climate policies, join environmental pressure groups, and petition government. These individual political actions can drive systemic change that personal lifestyle changes alone cannot achieve. However, individual action has clear limitations. About 70% of global emissions come from just 100 companies. One person's recycling is insignificant compared to industrial emissions. Placing responsibility on individuals can distract from the need for government regulation and corporate accountability. In conclusion, while individual action is necessary to demonstrate commitment and build political demand for change, it is not sufficient on its own. Effective global citizenship on climate change requires both personal action and political

Exam Tips: Always link sustainability to the three pillars: economic, social, environmental | Use specific SDG numbers and names when referencing them (e.g. SDG 13: Climate Action) | When evaluating climate action, consider both mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (preparing for effects)
Common Errors: ✗ Sustainability is only about the environment. ✓ Sustainability has three pillars: environmental protection, social inclusion, and economic development. All three must be balanced for true sustainability. ✗ Individual actions cannot make any difference to global issues. ✓ While individual actions alone cannot solve global issues, collective individual action can drive market changes and influence government policy. Every social movement starts with individuals. ✗ The UK is already doing enough to meet its net zero target. ✓ The Climate Change Committee has warned the UK is not on track, with insufficient progress on home insulation, transport electrification, and agricultural emissions.
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: explain how global issues & sustainability connects to another Citizenship Studies topic you have studied
  • Real-world: research one real-world use or example of global issues & sustainability
  • Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in global issues & sustainability?"

Plenary (5 minutes)

Assessment Criteria
  • Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
  • Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
  • Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

🎓 Smart Lesson (Guided)