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

Who’s Really Paying for COVID?

Young people are, and will continue to be, some of the most impacted by COVID. However their voices have...

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

World Female Ranger Day (KS2)

During this lesson children 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, Diversity and Inclusion, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Conflict: Part 2 – Mediation

In this lesson pupils will discuss the principles of simple mediation strategies and apply these in role play scenarios to explore how people can voice and resolve their differences. The…

More Community 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…

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…

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…

More Politics and Democracy 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, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

What is Democracy?

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

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS3 (ages 11-14)

How Does the Budget Impact Me and Others?

The resource consists of two activities. The first is a notation task based on the information provided about the...

More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources

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

Democracy (Part 1): What is a General Election?

This lesson forms the first part of a three-part unit on Democracy.  Pupils explore the meaning of ‘democracy’, and the ways in which citizens can participate in democratic life in…

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

The NHS

During this lesson pupils will learn about the founding of the NHS and the guiding principles upon which it was established. Pupils will explore a variety of scenarios in which…

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...

More Sustainability and the Environment resources

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

Pollution: Expedition to Planet Blueball

This lesson explores the issues of pollution of our planet and sustainable power. It is based around an animated story, involving the Go-Givers characters, in which creatures from a friendly…

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…

Lessons, Relationships, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Respect

This lesson explores the nature of respect. It considers respect for oneself, respect for others, respect in sport and respect for the environment. Suitable for all of KS2. Links: British values,…

More Understanding Rules & The Law resources

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

Youth Justice (SmartLaw Subscription)

During this lesson, students will explore the process a young person goes through when they commit, or are suspected of committing a crime. They will also examine different types of…

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

Mock Trials Classroom Pack

The Mock Trial Competitions are our longest-running active citizenship experiences. Since 1991, we have provided unparalleled exposure 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…

More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources

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

Filter Bubbles: Tell Me What I Want To Hear

A “filter bubble” describes how algorithms limit and skew the information users see on the internet. In this lesson,...

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Local and Central Government

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

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

Employment Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

During this lesson students explore the law that applies to young workers and what they can do if they believe their legal rights at work are not being upheld. To…

More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources

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

Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson introduces students to the concepts of their legal rights and responsibilities and explores how the law impacts their daily lives. Students explore the different ages that various laws…

KS3 (ages 11-14)

Bar Mock Trial Competition – Support Videos

Preparing for the Bar Mock Trial Competition? Watch these video explainers, demonstrations and expert tips on key aspects of criminal trials. To access this content, register for our Bar Mock…

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...

Related content

Democracy resources for ages 11-18

Political resources for secondary and post –16 students.