This new subject has been developed to address the many complex and relevant sustainability challenges, 

including the climate crisis and global inequalities.  It aims to enable students to apply a solutions-focused approach to living in a sustainable world.   

The subject will provide students with opportunities through action to work towards a more just and sustainable world. Our students’ future studies and careers will be based on responding to climate action and ensuring sustainable approaches to areas 

such as agriculture, housing, infrastructure, energy supplies, manufacturing and flood defences.  

Earth & Planet

• Learn that a healthy environment is vital to sustainability
• Evidence of environmental damage and loss caused by human influence
• Builds students’ knowledge of climate science and environmental systems
• Up to date scientific evidence and models
• Causes and effects of environmental change
• Understanding of ways in which those changes can be measured
• Recognise environmental limits and appreciate the risk of damage once pushed beyond certain thresholds

 

People, Power, & Place

• Explore our place in climate action and sustainable development
• Place refers to students’ school, local community and country
• Individuals, groups and political values
• Explore community, decision making, energy usage and root causes of environmental change
• Actions of individuals and groups in their school, their locality and across Ireland
• Power of community in instilling a spirit of sustainability through collective endeavour

Global Connections:

• Global thinking and actions
• Decision making and power as evidenced through governance, economic forces and global inequality
• Climate justice
• Real world examples
• Role of technology and innovation in imagining alternative futures

Over the two years of study, students engage in four Applied Learning Tasks carried out in small groups. Students plan, design, and carry out tasks which they deem relevant to them or their peers, their local community, or to society more broadly. The Applied Learning Tasks will be assessed by the teacher.

Applied Learning Task 1: Engaging in dialogue about climate action & sustainable development

• Plan and facilitate a dialogue on an issue related to climate action and sustainable development.
• The format and nature of the dialogue can be decided by the students
• A small group discussion, a classroom debate, a conversation with an elected official or with students from another school or country.

Applied Learning Task 2: Researching a movement, students will learn about the actions of others.

• Qualities of effective action
• Reflecting upon the action
• Consider how climate justice relates to equality and human rights as well as the climate.

Applied Learning Task 3: Designing a nature based experience

• Students create an experience for others to connect with nature in their surroundings.
• Outdoor activity/fieldwork

Applied Learning Task 4: Organising action:

• Effectively organise themselves to take action
• Students work in groups to organise an action on a matter related to climate action and sustainable development which they have democratically decided on.

Leaving Certification:  Set and examined by the State Examinations Commission (SEC)

Students will engage in an action of their choosing that relates to a topic issued by the SEC. Students will work with others in carrying out their Action Project, but their project is assessed individually. They will research an issue they wish to address and identify ways others have engaged with similar issues.