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Year 11

Deliberative discussion: How effective is the UN on tackling climate change?

I can create a reasoned discussion about the UN’s effectiveness on tackling climate change.

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New
New
Year 11

Deliberative discussion: How effective is the UN on tackling climate change?

I can create a reasoned discussion about the UN’s effectiveness on tackling climate change.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Actions the UN has taken include organising climate conferences, creating SDGs & mobilising funding for climate action.
  2. The UN primarily uses soft powers to encourage global climate action.
  3. Views on the UN’s effectiveness in tackling climate change differ, with progress seen alongside ongoing challenges.

Keywords

  • United Nations (UN) - an international organisation comprising of most countries in the world which aims to promote peace, security and international cooperation

  • Effective - achieving the intended results in a way that works well and makes good use of time and resource

  • Deliberative - involving careful thought, discussion and consideration before making decisions or reaching conclusions

Common misconception

The UN is always effective in the actions it takes.

The UN has been a powerful force for good in the world and has secured many victories. However, there have also been actions taken by the UN which have not been fully effective or only made marginal gains.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: Deliberative discussion: How effective is the UN on tackling climate change?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to explore both sides of the argument by highlighting the UN's successes and challenges. Use examples like the SDGs, climate finance targets and the Paris Agreement to guide discussions.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main purpose of COP meetings?
To punish countries that break climate laws.
To sell renewable energy technologies.
Correct answer: To negotiate climate action and set global targets.
To create trade deals between countries.
Q2.
The Agreement is an international treaty on climate change that was signed in 2016; the treaty addresses climate change mitigation, adaptation and climate finance.
Correct Answer: Paris
Q3.
People who are displaced by climate change are known by what term?
Correct Answer: climate refugees, refugees
Q4.
Match the COP to its location.
Correct Answer:COP3,Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, Japan

Correct Answer:COP21,Paris, France

Paris, France

Correct Answer:COP26,Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow, Scotland

Q5.
Which of these is an example of soft power the UN may use?
deploying peacekeeping soldiers to an area
using economic sanctions against a country
Correct answer: allowing countries to debate important issues
Q6.
What is this describing? The process of learning how to take part in democracy and using Citizenship knowledge, skills and understanding to work together to make a positive difference in the world.
Correct Answer: active citizenship, active citizen

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is not an action the UN has taken to tackle climate change?
organising climate conferences
creating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Correct answer: enforcing laws on climate emissions
mobilising funding for climate action
Q2.
Complete this sentence: The UN primarily uses powers to encourage global climate action.
Correct Answer: soft
Q3.
What is this describing? Involving careful thought, discussion and consideration before making decisions or reaching conclusions.
Correct Answer: deliberative, deliberative discussion, a deliberative discussion
Q4.
Match the part of a deliberative discussion to its description.
Correct Answer:examples,A statistic, case study or story that supports your argument.

A statistic, case study or story that supports your argument.

Correct Answer:link,A link back to the rationale and your closing words.

A link back to the rationale and your closing words.

Correct Answer:anaylsis,A bit more explanation of your viewpoint to make it really clear.

A bit more explanation of your viewpoint to make it really clear.

Correct Answer:rationale,A short statement to summarise your overall argument.

A short statement to summarise your overall argument.

Q5.
How much did the UN initially aim to raise to support climate action?
$100 million
$100
$1000
Correct answer: $100 billion
Q6.
Which statement best reflects the effectiveness of the UN’s work on climate change?
It has fully solved climate change through its actions.
It has never taken meaningful action on climate change.
Correct answer: It has made some progress, but its actions have not always been fully effective.
It forces countries to meet climate targets through strict enforcement.