Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Economics
Lesson Topic: The macroeconomic aims of government: environmental sustainability
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the concept of environmental sustainability and its relevance to macro‑economic stability.
  • Explain the main government policy instruments used to promote environmental sustainability.
  • Analyse the criteria for evaluating environmental policies, including efficiency, equity and feasibility.
  • Assess how environmental sustainability policies can support other macro‑economic aims such as employment, growth and price stability.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen for slides/diagrams
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Handout summarising policy instruments and evaluation criteria
  • Printed case study of Country X carbon tax
  • Sticky notes or index cards for group activities
  • Access to online data sources (e.g., emissions statistics)
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: “What everyday choices do you think affect the planet’s future?” Connect this to students’ prior knowledge of resource use and ask them to consider how government actions can shape those outcomes. Explain that by the end of the lesson they will be able to identify key sustainability aims and evaluate the tools governments use to achieve them.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – Students write a brief definition of environmental sustainability on sticky notes; share and cluster ideas.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Present the definition, why sustainability is a macro‑economic aim, and link to long‑term growth.
  3. Policy instruments overview (12’) – Use slides and the suggested circular‑flow diagram to compare taxes, subsidies, regulations, cap‑and‑trade and public investment; students fill a comparative table in their handout.
  4. Case study analysis (10’) – In pairs, examine the Country X carbon tax data, identify outcomes and discuss equity and competitiveness issues; report key points to class.
  5. Evaluation criteria activity (8’) – Groups rank the five policy tools against the five effectiveness criteria using sticky notes; teacher circulates and provides feedback.
  6. Plenary (5’) – Quick quiz (exit ticket) where each student writes one way environmental policy can support full employment or price stability.
Conclusion:
Summarise how government interventions aim to protect natural resources while supporting broader macro‑economic goals. For the exit ticket, students note one policy instrument and one evaluation criterion they found most compelling. Assign homework to research a local sustainability initiative and prepare a short paragraph on its potential macro‑economic impacts.