Resource

Climate Action: Using the Law to Drive Change

Climate change is, without doubt, one of the biggest challenges facing society but who is ultimately responsible for tackling it?

Use our free resources available to all UK secondary schools to explore with your students who should be held accountable for climate change and its effects and examine how the law is being used as a vehicle for change.

Overview

In 2021, COP26 was hosted in Glasgow. It was seen as a pivotal moment in tackling the global climate crisis. Help your students understand the impact the COP26 had and the key issues at play through our classroom resource.

Aimed at students in KS4 and 5 or S3-S6, this resource is designed to be run over a 1-2 hour period. Students are introduced to key pieces of environmental legislation and critically analyse what impact this legislation is having on tackling climate change now and in the future.

By the end of the lesson(s) students will be able to:

  • Analyse who is responsible for tackling climate change and who is responsible for addressing its effects;
  • Explain the key outcomes of a range of climate change related legislation and examine how these are being used to drive change;
  • Critically consider the role of the law in real life cases and explain how people are using the law to challenge decisions and instigate change.

 

Acknowledgments: 

This classroom resource was developed in partnership with and funded by the international law firm CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP.

We would like to thank the staff and pupils at Balerno High School, Eastbank Academy, Maria Fidelis Catholic School and Mulberry School for Girls for their input during the piloting of this resource pack.

More Lessons resources

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS1 (ages 5-7)

The Power of Giving

In this lesson pupils will read a tale from Japanese folklore which tells of how one small act of generosity leads to big gains. They will think about whether generous…

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Be Your Own Councillor

Students examine ways in which a fictional town council could spend its budget. They consider the concerns of different...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Children’s Rights

In this lesson pupils will learn that there are specific rights for children which are set out in the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child. Pupils will…

More Community resources

Lessons, Community, KS2 (ages 7-11)

COP: Climate Action

In November 2021, COP26 took place in Glasgow. It was the most pivotal climate summit of all time. This resources will explore what COP is and what COP26 aimed to…

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Water: Our Most Precious Resource

In this lesson pupils will learn about the qualities of water and why it is vital to life on Earth.   They will consider the problems facing people who cannot…

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS1 (ages 5-7)

The Golden Statue

In this lesson pupils will read an adapted version of a Buddhist legend that encourages them to reflect on how the generosity with which a gift is given is more…

More Politics and Democracy resources

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Plastic Pollution (KS2)

Find out more about the impact of plastic on our oceans. Watch this introductory video and use our free...

Digital Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Being An Online Citizen

During this lesson pupils consider their rights and responsibilities as digital citizens, focusing on how the online world can be used as a force for good. Pupils consider what skills,…

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Democracy (Part 3): Why Do We Have Laws?

This lesson forms the final part of a three-part unit on democracy.  Pupils learn about democracy and the rule of law. They discover the different roles of parliament, government and…

More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources

Lessons, Diversity and Inclusion, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Family Life

In this lesson pupils will think about what it means to be part of a family and how they can make a positive difference in their family life. Pupils will be…

Assemblies, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Inspirational People – Gandhi

This assembly is an introduction to the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.   Some of the themes that the assembly looks at can be further explored in the lessons: Inspirational…

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

How Can I Make a Difference?

In this lesson pupils will think about how they can plan a social action project. They will be led through key steps by following the example of the Go-Givers.  …

More Sustainability and the Environment resources

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Climate Change

Learners explore what climate change is and what is causing it.  They consider who is responsible for climate change:  individuals, politicians, businesses?  They are then challenged to think of a…

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Litter: The Picnic

In this lesson pupils will follow the story of the Go-Givers having a picnic.  Pupils will think about the problems caused by littering and how they can take responsibility for…

Assemblies, Sustainability and the Environment, KS2 (ages 7-11)

The G7 (Assembly Pack)

During this assembly pupils explore the history and function of the G7 and are introduced to the sort of discussions held at the annual G7 Summit. They learn about the…

More Understanding Rules & The Law resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Law Makers (SmartLaw Subscription)

In this lesson students examine what the rule of law is and why we need it. They consider how and why laws are made in the UK and what the…

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Climate Action: Using the Law to Drive Change

In 2021, COP26 was hosted in Glasgow. It was seen as a pivotal moment in tackling the global climate...

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Biodiversity: Using the Law to Drive Change

During this lesson, students consider what biodiversity is, why it is essential to all life on Earth and what...

More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources

Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Voting and the General Election

This resource pack is the second of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...

Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Sentencing Guidelines (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson asks students to consider the key findings of a harassment trial and conclude what sentence should be given to the guilty party. During the course of the lesson…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Tackling Discrimination (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson asks students to explore whether or not we have a moral or legal obligation to tackle discrimination when we see it. It can be delivered as a stand-alone…

More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Biodiversity: Using the Law to Drive Change

During this lesson, students consider what biodiversity is, why it is essential to all life on Earth and what...

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Who Owns Your Data?

This ready-to-teach double lesson pack is aimed at students in key stages 4 and 5. During the course of...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Economic Cycles

This free classroom resource explores what economic cycles are and how they impact our lives. Aimed at KS4 and...