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      Reducing emissions from industry

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can identify the biggest producers of carbon dioxide and suggest changes to reduce their emissions

      Key learning points

      1. Carbon capture and storage separates CO₂ from other emissions and stores it in suitable deep underground locations
      2. Carbon capture and storage can reduce CO₂ emissions but is very expensive
      3. The energy sector uses fuel for heating, electricity generation and transport as well as manufacturing and construction
      4. The energy sector produces approximately 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions
      5. Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by using less energy and switching to renewable energy sources

      Keywords

      • Greenhouse gases - gases in the atmosphere that keep it warmer than it would be without them

      • Carbon capture and storage - the separation of carbon dioxide from other emissions and the storage of it in deep underground locations

      • Renewable resources - an energy resource that can be replenished as quickly as it is used so will not run out

      • Energy industry - all the industries involved in generating electricity or providing fuels

      Common misconception

      It is pointless to take action on climate change if some other countries are not.

      Discuss how international agreements can enable many countries take action together. And that developing green technologies ahead of other countries may help UK industry in the future.

      Teacher tip

      Parts of this lesson lend themselves to class discussion. If so, it will be worth reminding pupils thta it is okay to disagree with each other, but they should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond. If disagreeing, they should challenge the statement not the person.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What do greenhouse gases in the atmosphere do?

      Correct answer: keep Earth’s temperature higher than it would be without them
      keep Earth’s temperature lower than it would be without them
      force Earth’s temperature to keep rising for ever
      force Earth’s temperature to keep falling for ever

      Q2.
      What do we call the increase in Earth’s temperature caused by human activity?

      Correct Answer: global warming, globalwarming

      Q3.
      What is the enhanced greenhouse effect caused by?

      all gases in the atmosphere
      all greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
      Correct answer: extra greenhouse gases added to the atmosphere by human activity
      extra greenhouse gases added to the atmosphere since the 1850s

      Q4.
      Which option includes most greenhouse gases?

      carbon dioxide, methane, oxygen
      Correct answer: carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour
      carbon dioxide, oxygen, water vapour
      methane, oxygen, water vapour

      Q5.
      What is the type of chemical reaction that produces most of the greenhouse gases made by human activity?

      Correct answer: combustion
      photosynthesis
      respiration

      Q6.
      Where are greenhouse gases found in the atmosphere?

      in a layer at the bottom of the atmosphere
      in a layer at the top of the atmosphere
      Correct answer: spread out throughout the atmosphere
      spread out, but mainly in the top part of the atmosphere

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What are greenhouse gases?

      Correct answer: gases in Earth’s atmosphere that keep it warmer than it would be without them
      gases in Earth’s atmosphere that keep it cooler than it would be without them
      an insulating layer of gases near the top of the atmosphere
      an insulating layer of gases close to Earth’s surface

      Q2.
      How do UK’s greenhouse gas emissions today compare to its emissions in 1990?

      Correct answer: the amount of greenhouse gas emissions is smaller today
      the amount of greenhouse gas emissions hasn’t changed very much
      the amount of greenhouse gas emissions is bigger today

      Q3.
      Put these contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in order, starting with the biggest greenhouse gas emitter in the UK.

      1 - transport
      2 - buildings
      3 - industry
      4 - waste

      Q4.
      What is a disadvantage of UK industry using carbon capture and storage?

      it increases emissions of greenhouse gases
      it speeds up global warming
      Correct answer: it could make UK industry uncompetitive

      Q5.
      Put the steps of carbon capture and storage into the correct order in which they happen.

      1 - most of the carbon dioxide is separated from other emissions
      2 - the carbon dioxide gas is compressed and made into a liquid
      3 - carbon dioxide is injected into rock formations deep underground
      4 - carbon dioxide remains there for a very long time

      Q6.
      Switching from burning fuels to using electricity to heat our homes and for transport can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But what else must happen to do so?

      less electricity must be generated
      Correct answer: more electricity must be generated
      more electricity must be generated using natural gas
      Correct answer: more electricity must be generated using renewable energy resources

      To help you plan your 8 science lesson on: Reducing emissions from industry, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...