Active learning ideas
Sustainable development is a critical theme in the modern Business Studies curriculum. This topic examines the 'Triple Bottom Line': the idea that businesses should be measured not just by profit, but also by their impact on people and the planet. Students evaluate how business activities contribute to climate change and resource depletion, and explore how they can transition to more sustainable practices. This aligns with Learning Outcomes 3.5 and 3.6.
Activity 01
Groups are assigned different areas of the school (canteen, classrooms, grounds) to identify 'waste' and 'sustainable' practices. They then develop a business proposal for one improvement, such as a better recycling system or a school garden.
What is sustainable development?
Activity 02
Students debate the statement: 'Businesses should be legally required to put the environment before their profits.' They must research and use terms like 'externalities', 'long-term sustainability', and 'competitiveness' in their arguments.
How do business activities impact the environment?
Activity 03
Students create posters featuring an Irish company that is leading in sustainability (e.g., Patagonia, or local examples like Re-turn). They highlight specific actions the company takes, such as using recycled materials or ensuring fair wages.
How can businesses operate more sustainably?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Sustainability is only about recycling.
Students often have a narrow view of 'green' issues. Through peer teaching about the SDGs, teachers can broaden this to include social sustainability, such as gender equality, fair wages, and ethical supply chains.
Being sustainable always makes a business less profitable.
Students may think 'going green' is just a cost. Collaborative research into 'eco-efficiency' can show how reducing energy waste or attracting eco-conscious customers can actually increase a business's long-term success.
Methods used in this brief
The Economic Environment
Introducing foundational economic concepts such as scarcity, opportunity cost, and the forces of supply and demand. Students explore how these concepts dictate market prices.
8 methodologies
Government and the Economy
Exploring the role of the Irish government in managing the economy, raising revenue through taxation, and providing public services.
8 methodologies