Unit 6 · Atmosphere and Climate Change · Topic 6.3

IB ESS HL — Climate change—mitigation and adaptation

At Higher Level, Topic 6.3 requires deeper evaluation of mitigation pathways, including quantitative analysis of emission reduction scenarios, carbon budgets, and detailed cost-benefit assessments of adaptation strategies. Students must critique international policy frameworks with analytical rigour.

6.3 Flashcards Exam technique guide Practice questions

Key concepts in Climate change—mitigation and adaptation

Key Idea: Topic 6.3 focuses on responses to climate change: **mitigation** (reduce causes) vs **adaptation** (reduce vulnerability), plus the role of international agreements and how **EVSs** shape climate decisions.

🧯 Mitigation vs adaptation

Mitigation: Cuts GHG emissions / increases sinks. Global benefits, needs cooperation. Examples: renewables, efficiency, CCS, afforestation.

Adaptation: Adjusts to impacts already happening. Local/regional benefits. Examples: sea walls, drought crops, flood planning, early warnings.

Mitigation tackles the **cause**; adaptation tackles the **effects**. Both are needed.

🌐 International agreements

🧠 EVSs and climate

✅ Exam Checklist

What you'll learn in Topic 6.3

6.3.1 Mitigation strategies
6.3.2 Adaptation strategies
6.3.3 International agreements & EVSs

Exam relevance

At Higher Level, ESS includes an extended essay component and deeper analytical questioning. Expect longer data-response questions and more complex case study scenarios in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Suggested study order: Read the notes for each sub-topic below → test yourself with flashcards → attempt practice questions → review exam technique.

Study resources — 6.3 Climate change—mitigation and adaptation

6.3.1

Mitigation strategies

Notes Flashcards

6.3.2

Adaptation strategies

Notes Flashcards

6.3.3

International agreements & EVSs

Notes Flashcards

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Topic 6.3 Climate change—mitigation and adaptation forms a core part of Unit 6: Atmosphere and Climate Change in IB ESS HL. Mastering these concepts will strengthen your understanding of connected topics across the syllabus and prepare you for exam questions that require analysis, evaluation, and real-world application.

Frequently asked questions

What does Topic 6.3 Climate change—mitigation and adaptation cover in IB ESS?

Topic 6.3 covers climate change—mitigation and adaptation as part of the IB ESS syllabus. Students learn key concepts, definitions, and real-world examples that are tested in Paper 1 and Paper 2 exams.

How should I revise Climate change—mitigation and adaptation for IB ESS exams?

Start by reading the micro-topic notes to understand each concept, then use flashcards to memorise key terms. Practise exam-style questions to apply your knowledge under timed conditions and review the marking criteria.

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Unit 6 · Atmosphere and Climate Change · Topic 6.3

IB ESS HL — Climate change—mitigation and adaptation

6.3 Flashcards Exam technique guide Practice questions

Key concepts in Climate change—mitigation and adaptation

Key Idea: Topic 6.3 focuses on responses to climate change: **mitigation** (reduce causes) vs **adaptation** (reduce vulnerability), plus the role of international agreements and how **EVSs** shape climate decisions.

🧯 Mitigation vs adaptation

Mitigation: Cuts GHG emissions / increases sinks. Global benefits, needs cooperation. Examples: renewables, efficiency, CCS, afforestation.

Adaptation: Adjusts to impacts already happening. Local/regional benefits. Examples: sea walls, drought crops, flood planning, early warnings.

Mitigation tackles the **cause**; adaptation tackles the **effects**. Both are needed.

🌐 International agreements

🧠 EVSs and climate

✅ Exam Checklist

What you'll learn in Topic 6.3

6.3.1 Mitigation strategies
6.3.2 Adaptation strategies
6.3.3 International agreements & EVSs

Exam relevance

At Higher Level, ESS includes an extended essay component and deeper analytical questioning. Expect longer data-response questions and more complex case study scenarios in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Suggested study order: Read the notes for each sub-topic below → test yourself with flashcards → attempt practice questions → review exam technique.