Environmental Responsibility — Band 7 Model Answer

It is widely argued thatExaminer noteHedging opener — signals a balanced view is coming. Examiners reward this at Band 7 over blunt personal statements. individuals have minimal environmental impact, with meaningful change requiring institutional action. While I agree that governments and corporations hold greater power, I believe individual choices also contribute significantly.

On the one handExaminer noteClassic discourse marker introducing the first view. Essential for Band 7 Coherence & Cohesion., governments possess the authority to enact legislation such as carbon taxes and emissions caps that transform entire industries. For instanceExaminer noteSimple but effective exemplification — shows the candidate can support claims with evidence., the EU Emissions Trading Scheme has measurably cut industrial carbon output across member states. Without top-down policy, voluntary individual action would be too fragmented to reverse climate change.

On the other hand, collective individual behaviour should not be underestimated. When millions of people adopt sustainable habits such as reducing meat consumption, choosing public transport, and avoiding single-use plasticsExaminer noteThree-part list with specific examples — demonstrates Lexical Resource breadth and Task Achievement detail., the cumulative effect is substantial. Consumer demand directly signals corporations to develop greener products and practices.

In conclusion, while governments and businesses bear the greatest responsibility, individuals are far from powerless.Examiner noteBalanced conclusion restating both sides — a hallmark of Band 7 Task Achievement. A lasting solution requires institutional frameworks alongside conscious citizen choices.