CourseCourseQuestionQuestion
IB Environmental Systems and Societies
Topic 1: Foundation
1.1 Perspectives
1.2 Systems
1.3 Sustainability
1.3.1—Sustainability definition
1.3.2—Three pillars of sustainability
1.3.3—Environmental sustainability
1.3.4—Social sustainability
1.3.5—Economic sustainability
1.3.6—Sustainable development
1.3.7—Ecosystem collapse
1.3.8—GDP limitations
1.3.9—Environmental justice
1.3.10—Inequality and resource access
1.3.11—Scales of sustainability and justice
1.3.12—Sustainability indicators
1.3.13—Ecological footprints
1.3.14—Carbon and water footprints
1.3.15—Biocapacity
1.3.16—Citizen science
1.3.17—Sustainability frameworks
1.3.18—UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
1.3.19—Planetary boundaries model
1.3.20—Doughnut economics model
1.3.21—Circular economy model
Topic 2: Ecology
Topic 3: Biodiversity and conservation
Topic 4: Water
Topic 5: Land
Topic 6: Atmosphere and climate change
Topic 7: Natural resources
Topic 8: Human populations and urban systems
IB/ESS/SL//Concept/Topic 1: Foundation/1.3 Sustainability/1.3.4—Social sustainability

Topic 1: Foundation

Syllabus
First assessment 2026
Section
—
Level
SL

Exam analysis

Most tested topics

  1. Perspectives
  2. Systems
  3. Sustainability