IB Environmental Systems and Societies

The IB Environmental Systems & Societies courses are usually completed in two years, with time spent on theory and on practical investigations. Topics that are studied include: Foundations of ESS, Ecosystems and Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation, Water and Aquatic Food Production, Soil Systems and Terrestrial Food Production, Atmospheric Systems, Climate Change and Energy Production, and Human Systems and Resource Use.

Practical investigations allow students to investigate environmental issues. A personal practical investigation, together with the final exams, results in their level of achievement for ESS.

Examinations consist of two papers. Paper 1 is a case study where students answer questions about the use and protection of the environment in a given geographical area. Paper 2 consists of data interpretation questions, short answer questions and extended response questions. The papers assess student knowledge as well as critical thinking skills and the application of knowledge and skills.

IB Environmental Systems and Societies students sitting examinations in May 2026 and later will follow a new syllabus. The current syllabus has been updated for ESS SL, and a new Environmental Systems and Societies HL course has been created in which ESS Higher Level students are presented with additional material to study the topics in more depth and breadth.

The topics are similar to those in the current syllabus; interesting new additions include Perspectives, Biogeochemical Cycles, Urban Systems and Urban Planning, and for Higher Level the HL Lenses: Environmental Law, Environmental Economics, and Environmental Ethics.

RV supports both the current and the new courses.

IB Environmental Systems and Societies is an interdisciplinary course that is nestled in both the IB Group 3 and Group 4 subject groups. As such, it requires students to apply the knowledge and methodology from both the human and natural sciences in their studies. Students can follow ESS as either a Group 3 or a Group 4 subject, or both, allowing for maximum flexibility as students can choose an extra course.

1. Sustainability is the most important concept in the courses. Know what it is, how it relates to environmental issues, and how it can be achieved.
2. Read or watch the news. Environmental issues will be featured. Think about the concepts involved and consider what you think about the matter. Some of the items may pop up in our RV questions.
3. An IB course is like a marathon - you need to start at the right pace and keep it up. Get organised. Read the textbook, take notes, maintain a vocabulary list, use RV resources and ask when you do not yet understand.

Revision Village Environmental Systems and Societies supports all students as they study the current ESS SL course or the new ESS SL and ESS HL courses that start in August 2024 for first examination in 2026. A range of questions and tools is available for all parts of the course and for use at different times. Whether you are working steadily on your terminology, want a quick revision quiz right before a test or are in the final leg of the course and are preparing for your exams, RV has the right questions and the right tools for you to succeed.