Lesson Plan

• Describe the main reasons governments impose trade restrictions for environmental sustainability.
• Explain how carbon tariffs and related measures internalise negative externalities.
• Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of environmental trade restrictions.
• Evaluate real‑world examples (e.g., EU CBAM, illegal‑timber bans) against economic theory.
• Apply the concept of dead‑weight loss to assess the impact of a green tariff.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Handout with summary table of environmental restrictions
• Case‑study worksheets (EU CBAM, timber ban)
• Calculator or spreadsheet for DWL calculations
• Sticky notes for group brainstorming

Begin with a quick poll: “Which products you buy might harm the environment abroad?” Connect this to students’ prior knowledge of carbon footprints and set the success criteria – students will identify, explain and evaluate environmental trade measures.

1. Do‑now (5’) – List three environmental problems linked to international trade on sticky notes.
2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Present key reasons and types of restrictions using slides and the illustrative table.
3. Guided analysis (12’) – In pairs, complete a worksheet calculating dead‑weight loss before and after a carbon tariff.
4. Whole‑class discussion (8’) – Share findings, discuss advantages/disadvantages, and link to theory.
5. Interactive activity (10’) – Groups create a flowchart showing how a carbon border adjustment tax influences producer behaviour and emissions.
6. Check for understanding (5’) – Quick Kahoot quiz on definitions and mechanisms.
7. Summary & exit ticket (5’) – Students write one policy improvement suggestion and hand it in.

Recap the five main environmental restrictions and how they aim to correct market failures. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding, then assign homework: research a recent environmental trade measure and write a short paragraph evaluating its economic impact.