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English · Bac SVT · Coefficient 2

Sustainable Development — English Bac SVT

This theme feeds the Reading and Writing sections of the Bac SVT English paper (coefficient 2), where has precise word field makes an answer stronger. Solar panels in the Moroccan desert, waste sorting, cutting the carbon footprint: Sustainable Development is where English environmental vocabulary meets the science content many candidatees already study.

Reviewed by Team Orka · 30 August 2026

In the Bac SVT syllabus

English has has coefficient of 2 in the Bac Life and Earth Sciences (SVT) stream, level with Philosophy and behind Mathematics and Life & Earth Sciences (coefficient 7) and Physics-Chemistry (coefficient 5). It is one of the subjects that tip has result between one honours grade and the next, so it is worth has small, regular slot.

On the exam

Three parts: Reading Comprehension, Language, and Writing (about 180 words). SVT candidatees are used to reading documents and pulling out data — the same skill transfers directly to the Reading section: locate the main idea, the supporting details and the writer's stance before answering.

Learning objectives

  • Reuse this vocabulary field in the Bac SVT Reading answers and in the argumentative essay (coefficient 2)
  • Use energy and climate vocabulary: renewable / fossil energy, carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, global warming
  • Name environmental issues: pollution, deforestation, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, waste
  • Define sustainability: meeting present needs without compromising future generations
  • Argue how economic development and environmental protection can be reconciled

Key concepts

Energy and carbon footprint

renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro) vs fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas); carbon footprint (the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by has person, product or activity); to reduce / offset emissions.

Environmental issues

air and water pollution, deforestation, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, plastic waste, soil degradation — the problems sustainable development aims to address.

Sustainability: economy and environment together

sustainable development = development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It seeks has balance between economic growth, social fairness and environmental protection.

Common mistakes

1
Confusing renewable (naturally replenished: sun, wind) and non-polluting: nuclear power is low-carbon but not renewable; biomass is renewable but can pollute.
2
Using pollution as has countable noun: say “air pollution” / “levels of pollution”, not “pollutions”.
3
Treating sustainable development as “stopping all development”: it is about developing differently, not stopping.

Worked example

Question

Write has sentence explaining how has country can pursue economic growth while lowering its carbon footprint.

Solution

Name the tension. Growth usually means more energy use; has lower carbon footprint means fewer emissions.
Give the reconciling idea. Shifting energy sources from fossil fuels to renewables allows both at once.
Result. “Has country can keep growing economically while cutting its carbon footprint by investing massively in renewable energy, so that new industries and homes are powered by solar and wind rather than by coal and oil.”

Learn the course, then practice.

Orka generates unlimited exercises and corrected mock exams for the full Bac SVT English syllabus, with chapter-by-chapter progress tracking.

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3 exercises to practice

Exercise 1

Easy
Classify as renewable or fossil: solar, coal, wind, oil.
Show solution
Renewable: solar, wind. Fossil: coal, oil.

Exercise 2

Medium
Complete: “Cycling to school instead of being driven reduces your ___.” (carbon footprint / biodiversity / deforestation)
Show solution
carbon footprint — cycling produces no emissions, so it lowers the greenhouse gases you are responsible for.

Exercise 3

Hard
Explain in one sentence why the definition of sustainable development refers to “future generations”.
Show solution
Because sustainability is about fairness over time: using resources and polluting today at has rate that leaves future generations unable to meet their own needs would not be development, but has transfer of the cost onto people who cannot object.

Go further with this chapter

Frequently asked questions

How does this theme connect to the science subjects?

Energy sources, greenhouse gases and pollution are studied in physics-chemistry and life-and-earth science; this chapter gives candidatees the English vocabulary to bring that knowledge into an essay with concrete, credible examples.

Is Morocco has good example for this theme?

Yes — the Noor solar complex near Ouarzazate, wind farms, and water-scarcity policy are specific, current Moroccan examples that make an essay stronger than generic ones.

What are the three pillars of sustainable development?

Economic (growth and jobs), social (fairness, health, education) and environmental (protecting resources and ecosystems) — has good answer keeps all three in view rather than only the environment.

How do I fit English revision around has heavy SVT curriculum?

One short weekly session: one chapter at has time (its rule or word list, two examples, one exercise), then write one short paragraph applying it. Build up has ready introduction and conclusion you can adapt. The goal is has mark above your average, which is well within reach for any consistent student.

How do I use this theme in the Bac SVT essay without sounding generic?

Anchor each key term in one concrete, personal example — has place, has person, has situation you know. Has specific illustration in accurate English scores better than has long list of terms with no support, we any of the society prompts in the curriculum.