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, 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, 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…

Lessons, Community, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Make a Difference in a Day

The Make a Difference in a Day resource pack has been created for teachers who want to deliver a...

More Community resources

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

Protecting Local Habitats (KS1)

In this lesson pupils will learn the meaning of the word habitat and have an introduction to different habitats that can be found in the UK. Pupils will examine how…

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…

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

Cultural Diversity in the UK

In this lesson pupils will be learning about cultural diversity in the UK and some of the historical factors that have contributed to the diversity of the UK population. Pupils…

More Politics and Democracy resources

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...

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

Magna Carta

During this lessons pupils will look at the history of the Magna Carta and consider how it has helped shape the laws we have today.   Pupils consider what ‘fairness’…

More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources

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

Saving Energy

In this lesson pupils will learn what is meant by the term energy source. They will consider how they use energy in their lives and be introduced to the basic…

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

Inspirational People – Nelson Mandela

This assembly is an introduction to the life and work of Nelson Mandela. You may like to run it in conjunction with the lesson ‘Inspirational People.’    To access this content,…

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

The G7 (Lesson Plan)

During this two lesson resource pupils learn about the G7 and take part in a mock G7 Summit meeting.   During the first lesson pupils explore the history and function…

More Sustainability and the Environment resources

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, 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…

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

Relationships and the Law

During this lesson pupils explore the concept of marriage and civil partnerships focusing on the fact that they are a legal commitment between two people and what this means. Pupils…

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

An Introduction to Discrimination Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson looks at the history of anti-discrimination law, the different types of discrimination (i.e. direct and indirect discrimination) and how the law deals with discrimination. It can be delivered…

More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources

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

Sentencing Myths (SmartLaw Subscription)

This short activity challenges young people’s perceptions of current sentencing guidelines. It can be run as a standalone activity or as an extension activity as part of a mock trial…

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, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS5 (ages 16-18)

An Introduction to Human Rights

In this lesson students will explore our rights and responsibilities and how they are protected in law. They are...

More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources

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

Sentencing Myths (SmartLaw Subscription)

This short activity challenges young people’s perceptions of current sentencing guidelines. It can be run as a standalone activity...

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…

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...