PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Climate Change: Education (25 September 2019)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that environmentalism is in the National Curriculum; and what guidance his Department provides on teaching about climate change.

Asked by:
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (Labour)

Topics related to climate change and the environment are included in both the science and geography curricula and qualifications.

In primary science and geography, pupils are taught about the seasons, climate, and habitats of plants and animals. For example, they will look at how environments can change as a result of human actions. In secondary science pupils are taught more about the climate and environment, including about the production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the effect that this has on the climate. This is expanded on in GCSE science where pupils will consider the evidence for additional anthropogenic causes of climate change. As part of GCSE geography pupils will look at the causes, consequences of and responses to extreme weather conditions and natural weather hazards.

In 2017, the Department introduced a new environmental science A level. This will enable students to study topics that will support their understanding of climate change and how it can be tackled.

The Department is also funding the Children and Nature Programme, a £10m programme that aims to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds to have better access to the natural environment. This includes studying about nature and how to care for the natural environment.

Answered by:
Nick Gibb (Conservative)
3 October 2019