CAIE A-Level Economics 9.2.6 Sustainable growth
Practise analysing sustainable growth through resource use, green energy, climate impacts and policy choices across generations.
- Syllabus
- 2026–2028
- Course
- Economics 9708
- Level
- A2
Exam points
- define sustainability and apply it to fuel choices, resource conservation or green energy evidence
- evaluate growth policies using environmental damage, future generations and current output trade-offs
- compare technology, training and regulation as routes to lower-cost sustainable growth
9.2.6—Sustainable growth question 1
[Maximum number: 10]
Global carbon emissions
A key message of the 2021 World Climate Summit was that the use of coal must be phased out for the good of the planet.
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Content removed due to copyright restrictions.
Question (a)
(a)
Define economic sustainability and give one example from the information of a change that can be used to illustrate it.
[ 2 ]
Definition 1 Economic sustainability is current economic activity which does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Illustration 1 Use of alternative sources of fuel to coal to save damage to the environment.
Question (b)
(b)
Use the information to comment on the possible effects on the economies of the countries that refused to sign the carbon policy agreement.
[ 4 ]
Those countries are some of the top producers of coal. (1)
Advantages:
Cheapness as a power source 1 enabling them to increase/maintaining GDP/Economic Growth 1.
Reliable source of power1 enabling continuity of production 1.
Coal supplies can be stored and managed 1 to meet demand for electricity 1.
Disadvantages:
Coal is a finite resource 1 and therefore there are future costs of switching 1. Continuation of the output of negative externalities 1 e.g. carbon dioxide/greenhouse/toxic gases/lower air quality 1.
4 max
Question (c)
(c)
Discuss why the article says that 'China is a country of contradictions'.
[ 4 ]
Discuss why the article says that 'China is a country of contradictions'.
China undermines aim of World Climate Summit because of its policy of using
mainly coal ( 70% ) and other fossil fuels to produce electricity. 1 This accounts
for large scale emissions of pollutants (31\% of world total). 1. Use of coal
projected to increase to record level in 2022 (1) 2 max
China has stated that it will not sacrifice economic growth, which has been
relatively high at 8.3%, in order to reduce reliance on coal. (1)
By contrast, China is investing in 'green' technologies - solar, wind, hydro-electric, 1 and is a leading user of electric cars and a leading manufacturer of
wind turbines (exports). 12 max
Refuses to sign agreement 1
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