Andy Brunning, Chemistry A Level Subject Advisor

The ongoing curriculum and assessment review has called for “a greater focus on sustainability and climate science.” But with any curriculum changes likely still several years away, what can teachers do to address this right now with the current curriculum content? 

While current science specifications may not always be explicit in calling out links to sustainability and climate science, there are many areas where connections can be made. I’m certain that the reflexive response to this would be: “We already have too much content to teach!”. This is a perfectly fair riposte, but I hope I can illustrate how students can be encouraged to think more about sustainability and climate with changes of emphasis as opposed to huge additions to the teaching load.

By way of example, I’ve picked out six topics covered as a part of GCSE Chemistry, A Level Chemistry, or both, and considered how you could make the links to sustainability and climate science stronger.

1. Plastics

Polymerisation is covered at both GCSE and A Level and our specifications already include some consideration of waste polymer processing and recycling, as well as the potential benefits of biodegradable and photodegradable polymers. 

To supplement this, you could include discussion of common polymer feedstocks and their origins and sustainability. Microplastics generation and their implications for the environment are another aspect of plastics sustainability that students could consider, as are recycling rates of different plastics and what they mean for our future plastics usage. The United Nations Development Programme has a good overview of the latter and what meaningful action individuals can take.

2. The ozone layer and ozone depletion

The phase-out of ozone-depleting CFCs after the Montreal Protocol in 1987 represents an environmental success story, a helpful example during a time when students may be anxious about current environmental and climate challenges. The chemistry behind ozone depletion is covered in our A Level Chemistry specifications and this provides an opportunity to explore the global warming potential of greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere, including those of the HFCs which replaced CFCs.

3. Metal extraction

Several metal extraction methods are covered in GCSE Science, which presents an opportunity for students to evaluate their environmental impacts. These discussions could consider the mining operations to extract metal ores in the first place and their effect on habitats, ecosystems and pollution levels. A 2022 government research briefing, Mining and the sustainability of metals, provides an excellent overview of these and other issues. 

Energy requirements for metal extraction can also be evaluated, as well as the environmental impacts of these processes. For example, steel production is estimated to be responsible for 11% of global carbon dioxide emissions, meaning that it makes a significant contribution to anthropogenic climate change.

4. Fertilisers

Fertilisers are the central figures in equilibrium topics in chemistry at both GCSE and A Level, with the Haber process for producing ammonia being the go-to example. As well as the harrowing human hinterland of Haber’s background in chemical weapons development, there is also a rich but often unexplored sustainability vein. 

50% of the world’s food production relies on ammonia fertiliser but it comes at an environmental cost. The reaction consumes around 1% of the world’s total energy production as well as producing approximately 1% of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to Chemical & Engineering News. The latter is largely due to the use of steam methane reforming to produce hydrogen. Greener sources of hydrogen, such as water electrolysis (linking to electrolysis and electrochemistry topics) could reduce this.

5. Air pollution

Our GCSE Science specifications already require students to describe the effect of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane levels on the Earth’s climate. They also have to learn about the identities, sources and impacts of other common air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and particulates. 

There’s plenty of scope for further exploration of environmental and sustainability topics within this topic. For example, less discussed sources of air pollution, such as the 6.1 million metric tons of dust from tyre wear released into the atmosphere annually, could be considered. It’s also another opportunity to highlight some environmental success stories, such as the reduction of emissions using catalytic converters, the removal of lead compounds from petrol, and the desulfurisation of flue gases from fossil fuel power plants.

6. Green chemistry

Green chemistry is a fixture on our A Level Salters’ Chemistry specification, but it’s a set of principles which can easily be referenced across content in our other specifications, too. The concept of atom economy is covered in both of our A Level specifications and can easily be applied to any reactions students come across, encouraging them to consider reactions’ efficiencies. Sustainability links can also be made in cases where reactions make use of catalysts. And, particularly at A Level, risk assessments can consider the hazards and safety of particular reagents being used and consider the availability and practicality of alternatives.

Taking further steps

These are just a few examples of how a sustainability angle can be built into your teaching without significant changes. Hopefully, it will inspire you to think about other ways to link sustainability and climate change to the content you’re already teaching. If you have further suggestions, we’d love to hear from you! 

For further exploration of sustainability topics, our new Level 3 Certificate in Sustainability can be taken alongside A Levels and allows students to develop their knowledge of environmental conservation. Elsewhere, our new Cambridge Advanced National in Applied Science contains a whole environmental studies unit which encourages students to consider conservation, environmental management and waste management strategies.

Stay connected

Want to share your own approaches to incorporating sustainability into science teaching? You can email us at support@ocr.org.uk, call us on 01223 553998 or message us @OCRexams. You can also sign up to subject updates to keep up-to-date with the latest news, updates and resources.

If you are considering teaching any of our qualifications, use the online form to let us know, so that we can help you with more information.

About the author

Andy joined OCR in September 2017 as the subject advisor for A Level Chemistry. He has a Chemistry BSc and a Secondary Science PGCE from the University of Bath. Before joining OCR, he worked as a chemistry teacher in Bournemouth and Cambridge. He also sidelines as a science communicator and has produced infographic projects for the Royal Society of Chemistry and the American Chemical Society.