Active learning ideas
Ethical and Environmental Considerations explores the impact of business activity on society and the planet. Students investigate topics like fair trade, carbon footprints, and waste management. For Year 11s, this is a critical look at the 'triple bottom line', Profit, People, and Planet, and the growing pressure on UK businesses to act responsibly.
Activity 01
Split the class into 'Shareholders' (who want maximum profit) and 'Activists' (who want a carbon-neutral supply chain). They must debate a specific scenario, like a factory move to a country with lower environmental standards.
What does it mean for a business to act ethically?
Activity 02
Groups are given various 'eco-friendly' product adverts. They must research the companies behind them to see if their actions match their claims, presenting their findings as a 'Green or Greed' verdict.
How can businesses reduce their environmental impact?
Activity 03
Students list three things they've bought recently and discuss in pairs whether they considered the ethics of the brand before buying. They then share what would make them 'boycott' a brand.
Does ethical behaviour always lead to lower profits?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Being ethical always makes a business less profitable.
While it can increase costs, it also attracts 'ethical consumers' and can lead to long-term loyalty. A 'case study' of brands like Patagonia or Lush helps students see that ethics can be a USP (Unique Selling Point) that drives profit.
Environmental impact is only about pollution.
It also includes resource depletion, waste, and biodiversity. Using a 'sustainability audit' checklist for the school helps students see the many different ways an organisation impacts the environment.
Methods used in this brief
The Economic Climate
This topic covers how changes in the economic climate affect businesses. Students will look at interest rates, inflation, and exchange rates.
8 methodologies
Legislation and Business
Students will investigate the impact of legislation on business operations. They will focus on employment law, consumer law, and health and safety.
8 methodologies