IB ESS HL 6.3.7 UN role Question Bank
Practise IB ESS HL 006.003.007 by applying un role concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- identify the relevant environmental system, process or evidence
- apply the correct ESS concept and explain the causal relationship
- evaluate the outcome using ecological, social or management evidence
6.3.7 (HL)—UN role question 1
[Maximum number: 9]
To what extent have international agreements been successful in solving atmospheric air pollution and climate change?
The following guide for using the markbands suggests certain features that may be offered in responses. The five headings coincide with the criteria given in each of the markbands (although "ESS terminology" has been conflated with "Understanding concepts"). This guide simply provides some possible inclusions and should not be seen as requisite or comprehensive. It outlines the kind of elements to look for when deciding on the appropriate markband and the specific mark within that band.
Answers may include:
- understanding concepts and terminology of international agreements (Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol/Paris Agreement/UNCED/UNFCCC, Convention on LRTRAP, UNEP, UNECE, Agenda 21) in different environmental issues; climate change; air pollution; acid deposition; ozone depletion; solid domestic waste; resource depletion; population growth; energy choices;
- breadth in addressing and linking a wide range of international agreements with various solutions (laws/regulations/strategies/actions/projects) to issues of different forms of atmospheric pollution and climate change
- examples of international agreements; solutions to the problems requiring international agreements;
- balanced analysis discussing successful and less successful international agreements showing understanding of the factors involved in the amount of success;
- a conclusion that is consistent with, and supported by, analysis and examples given eg currently the Montreal Protocol is thought to be the most successful international piece of legislation tackling an environmental problem. The problem of ozone depletion was not challenged in the political sphere and there were solutions that industry could implement. It did not require any change to the way that people lived their lives. Climate change legislation, on the other hand has been politically controversial and despite all countries initially signing up to the Paris Accord in 2015, it is still struggling to be implemented as it requires system-wide changes to the way countries organise themselves;
Please see markbands on page 22.
Section B, part (c) markbands
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