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

World Female Ranger Day (KS1)

During this lesson pupils will learn about World Female Ranger Day. Pupils will explore where the continent of Africa is and learn about its unique wildlife, and why it needs…

Lessons, Health and Wellbeing, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Healthy Eating

In this lesson pupils will learn about the importance of eating the right amounts of different food groups as part of a healthy lifestyle. Pupils will have the opportunity to…

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

Plastic Pollution (KS1)

During this lesson children explore the environmental effects of plastic pollution by carrying out a number of experiments. They then go on to consider how they can take action against…

More Community resources

Lessons, Community, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Strong Societies

In this lesson pupils will consider the benefits of living in a society rather than isolation. They will identify roles that are essential to a strong society and reflect on…

Class Posters, Community, KS1 (ages 5-7)

We Make a Difference in Our Communities (poster)

We know that positive change starts with many small actions. To access this content, register for our School Subscription.

Assemblies, Community, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Belonging to Groups

This assembly asks children to think about the groups they belong to, and how groups can be used for good or bad. It includes ideas for demonstrating how we can…

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...

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS3 (ages 11-14)

What is a Digital Citizen?

In the delivery of this resource your students will explore what is meant by the term ‘digital citizen’. They...

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

Ethics, Innovation and the Law

Aimed at KS4 and Post-16, your students will: Explore the way technology is developing and the impacts this has...

More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources

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

Discrimination

In this lesson pupils will develop their understanding of the term ‘discrimination’. Pupils will consider what makes them unique and learn which characteristics are protected under the Equality Act. Pupils…

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

Making a Difference (certificate)

Our pupil certificates are linked to 12 ethos statements, such as We Make a Difference in our Communities. Each statement supports character development and the acquisition of key citizenship skills The…

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

Protecting Local Habitats (KS2)

In this lesson pupils will learn about the importance of habitats and explore endangered British species and the threats to their habitat. Pupils will be guided through ways in which…

More Sustainability and the Environment resources

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…

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

How Should We Farm?

In this lesson pupils will learn about different farming methods.  They will consider the advantages and disadvantages of these methods and learn how to identify labels that indicate how food…

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

Plastic Pollution (KS1)

During this lesson children explore the environmental effects of plastic pollution by carrying out a number of experiments. They then go on to consider how they can take action against…

More Understanding Rules & The Law resources

Classroom Toolkits, Politics and Democracy, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Controversial issues: guidance for schools

Children are alert to information and images they see in the media. These may graphically influence their view of the world, and not always positively. Graphic images on TV and…

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

Family Law – Cohabitation and Marriage (SmartLaw Subscription)

During the course of the lesson students will learn the difference between marriage and cohabitation and consider what legal rights come with both. Students will  explore the changing attitudes in…

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 KS4 (ages 14-16) resources

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

Learning About the Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson gives students an introduction to the legal system in the UK. During the lesson students will examine the roles of the various professionals involved in the law and…

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

You Decide! (KS4)

This resource will allow students to critically consider what reasons and ways the government can take to support different...

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...

More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources

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

Social Media and the Law (KS4) (SmartLaw Subscription)

Students explore the law in relation to social media posts, the types of offences that people are  committing (whether knowingly or not) and the consequences of these offences. Finally, students…

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

Climate Action: Circular Economies

During this lesson students explore how the economy can be used to support climate action and create a more...

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...

Primary school teachers!

Downloaded our resources this year? Complete this survey to win a £50 gift voucher.

The survey contains 6 questions and should take no longer than 4 minutes.