IB ESS HL 7.1.4 "Natural capital" perspective Question Bank
Practise IB ESS SL/HL 7.1.4 by applying "natural capital" perspective 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
7.1.4—"Natural capital" perspective question 1
[Maximum number: 4]
Outline how the concept of sustainability can be applied to managing natural capital.
natural capital refers to natural resources that can supply a natural income of goods or services;
natural income is the yield/growth obtained from natural resources/capital; to be sustainable, natural capital must be used at rate slower than its replenishment / within maximum sustainable yield / that fulfils current needs without compromising future availability;
if more than the natural income is extracted, then the use is unsustainable; exploitation of natural capital may also be unsustainable due to processes of extraction/transport/processing / environment should be in same condition as at outset to be sustainable; altering human behaviour/values/choices through policies/legislations/campaigns so that unsustainable exploitation of natural capital is reduced; non-renewable natural capital is either irreplaceable or can only be replaced over geological timescales / non-renewable natural capital can never be used sustainably;
The question addresses the essential nature (concept) of sustainability rather than specific practices. However, do credit candidates for valid and specific examples if they exemplify any of the generic principles above.
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