New
New
Year 8

A sustainable future for the Democratic Republic of Congo

I can suggest ways the DRC can develop sustainably while protecting its environment and people.

New
New
Year 8

A sustainable future for the Democratic Republic of Congo

I can suggest ways the DRC can develop sustainably while protecting its environment and people.

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

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The DRC has potential for sustainable development through renewable energy and responsible resource management.
  2. Hydropower from the Congo River could provide electricity to millions.
  3. Community-led conservation and fair trade practices can improve livelihoods.
  4. International support and government policies will shape the country's future.

Keywords

  • Sustainable development - development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

  • Renewable energy - renewable energy is sources of energy that can be reused and will not be used up or run out

  • Conservation - the careful protection of something

Common misconception

That the government of the DRC is only concerned with the military and defence and not with other important matters that affect the people.

The government of the DRC has many departments focussed on a variety of areas from energy and industries to farming and conservation. The government makes policies and pledges in a number of contexts, not only in defence and military matters.


To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: A sustainable future for the Democratic Republic of Congo, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You could extend the task in Activity C to become group work or a whole class debate by putting students into groups which agree or disagree with the statement and asking them to put forward their reasoning.
Teacher tip

Equipment

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

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a major cause of environmental damage in the DRC?

Tourism
Correct answer: Deforestation
Urban farming
Space exploration

Q2.
Why are 'conflict minerals' a problem in the DRC?

They cause pollution
They are hard to find
Correct answer: They fuel violence and conflict
They cannot be exported

Q3.
How does deforestation affect biodiversity?

It increases rainfall
It improves soil quality
It attracts more animals
Correct answer: It reduces species and habitats

Q4.
Why is the DRC important for global biodiversity?

Correct answer: It contains rare rainforest species
It’s near the Equator
It has only desert plants
It has no native animals

Q5.
Which region of Africa is the Democratic Republic of Congo located in?

East Africa
West Africa
Southern Africa
Correct answer: Central Africa

Q6.
What major physical feature runs through the DRC?

Nile River
Correct answer: Congo River
Sahara Desert
Mount Kilimanjaro

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their correct definitions.

Correct Answer:Sustainable development,Meeting needs now and in the future

Meeting needs now and in the future

Correct Answer:Renewable energy,Energy that won’t run out

Energy that won’t run out

Correct Answer:Conservation,Careful protection of something

Careful protection of something

Q2.
What is a benefit of using renewable energy in the DRC?

It increases dependence on oil
It pollutes the environment
Correct answer: It can be reused and supports long-term goals
It damages local ecosystems

Q3.
Which challenge does the DRC face when trying to develop sustainably?

Correct answer: Deforestation and environmental damage
Too much money
Lack of natural resources
Cold temperatures

Q4.
Which of the following statements best reflects the work of the DRC’s government?

The government only focuses on defence
The government has no interest in the environment
The government works only with the military
Correct answer: The government has departments tackling energy, farming, and conservation