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Sustainable Development · Paper 2 — Free Economics HL Practice Questions

1MasteryLAQConcept of sustainable development10 marksPaper 2~15 min

The government of Costa Rica is considering a new policy to expand copper mining in the Osa Peninsula. Costa Rica has a Human Development Index (HDI) of

0.809

and a strong ecotourism sector. The Osa Peninsula contains

3\%

of the world's biodiversity. The proposed mine would generate USD 1.2 billion in export revenue annually and create 4,000 direct jobs. Environmental groups warn it would destroy 15,000 hectares of primary rainforest and increase the country's carbon emissions by

8\%

. Costa Rica currently generates

98\%

of its electricity from renewable sources and has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050.

(a)

Define sustainable development and explain how the three pillars model applies to Costa Rica's proposed copper mine. [4 marks]

(b)

Using the concepts of weak and strong sustainability, and referring to at least two stakeholder perspectives, discuss whether the Costa Rican government should approve the copper mine. [6 marks]

Solutions

2MasteryLAQConcept of sustainable development9 marksPaper 2~14 min

Data

In 2022, Bangladesh's garment industry accounted for

84\%

of its total exports, valued at USD 46 billion. The industry employs 4.4 million workers, of whom

60\%

are women. However, the sector faces significant challenges: rising sea levels threaten

17\%

of Bangladesh's land area by 2050, and the country's carbon emissions have increased by

180\%

since 2000 as factories expanded. The government plans to build 10 new coal-fired power plants to meet industrial energy demand, despite pledging to reduce emissions by

22\%

by 2030 under the Paris Agreement.

(a)

(i) Define the term sustainable development. [1]
(ii) Using the three pillars model, explain how Bangladesh's garment industry performs against each pillar of sustainable development. [3 marks]

(b)

Discuss whether Bangladesh should prioritise economic growth from garment exports or environmental sustainability. In your answer, apply the concepts of weak and strong sustainability, and consider the perspectives of at least two different stakeholders. [6 marks]

Solutions

3MasteryLAQConcept of sustainable development10 marksPaper 2~15 min

Bangladesh has experienced average annual GDP growth of

6.5\%

over the last decade, lifting millions out of poverty. However, its rapid industrialisation — particularly in the ready-made garment sector — has led to severe air and water pollution, and carbon emissions have risen by

150\%

since 2000. The country is also among the most vulnerable to climate change, with rising sea levels threatening

17

million people in coastal areas.

(a)

Define sustainable development and explain, using the three pillars model, why all three pillars must be balanced simultaneously. [4 marks]

(b)

Discuss the extent to which sustainable development is achievable for Bangladesh, given its need for rapid economic growth to reduce poverty. [6 marks]

Solutions

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