Writing Workshop

Unit 43: Climate Policy & International Agreements

Task (Cambridge C1 Advanced, Part 2)

Question: You work for an international environmental NGO. Your director has asked you to write a report regarding the effectiveness of recent international climate agreements and the potential impact of stricter national policies on the economy.

Write your report. You should: * Evaluate the effectiveness of current international climate agreements. * Discuss the potential economic consequences of implementing stricter environmental regulations. * Suggest whether governments should prioritise economic growth or environmental protection.

Word count: 220–260 words.

Tips (en español)

• Structure: Para un report, utiliza subtítulos claros para cada sección. Esto ayuda al lector a encontrar la información rápidamente y demuestra control de la estructura formal.
• Register: Mantén un tono profesional y objetivo. Evita contracciones (use do not instead of don't) y lenguaje coloquial. Usa la voz pasiva para sonar más imparcial.
• Linking: Utiliza conectores de transición sofisticados para guiar al lector (e.g., Furthermore, Nevertheless, In light of the above). No te limites a and o but.
• Hedging (Cautela): En temas de política, evita afirmaciones absolutas. Usa lenguaje de "matización" como it is widely argued that... o it appears that... para mostrar pensamiento crítico.
• Evaluación de ideas: No te limites a listar hechos. Debes analizar la relación entre la política climática y la economía. El examen evalúa tu capacidad de sintetizar conceptos complejos.
• Time management: Dedica 5 minutos a planificar los subtítulos y los puntos clave antes de escribir. No escribas más de 260 palabras; si te pasas, corres el riesgo de perder el control de la cohesión y el tiempo.

Useful language

Model answer

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Report on International Climate Policy and Economic Impact

Introduction The purpose of this report is to evaluate the efficacy of current international climate agreements and to assess the economic implications of stricter environmental regulations.

Effectiveness of International Agreements While international treaties such as the Paris Agreement have established vital frameworks for global cooperation, their effectiveness remains a subject of debate. It is widely asserted that while these agreements set ambitious targets, the lack of enforcement mechanisms often leads to inconsistent compliance among signatory nations. Consequently, global emissions continue to rise despite these diplomatic efforts.

Economic Implications of Stricter Regulations Implementing more stringent national policies presents a complex economic challenge. On the one hand, stricter regulations may impose significant transition costs on traditional industries, potentially leading to short-term economic instability. On the other hand, such policies act as a catalyst for innovation in the green energy sector, which could foster long-term sustainable growth. It is argued that the cost of inaction far outweighs the initial investment required for a green transition.

Conclusion and Recommendations In conclusion, although current international agreements provide a necessary foundation, they lack the teeth required for decisive action. Regarding the tension between economic growth and environmental protection, it is suggested that governments should not view these as mutually exclusive. Instead, policy-making should focus on "green growth." It is recommended that governments prioritise long-term ecological stability, as economic prosperity cannot be sustained on a failing planet.

(248 words)

Marking checklist

• Content: Have you addressed all three bullet points from the task? Does the report provide relevant information to the reader?
• Communicative Achievement: Is the tone sufficiently formal and professional? Does the report follow the conventions of the genre (e.g., using headings)?
• Organisation: Are the ideas logically sequenced? Have you used effective cohesive devices (linking words) to connect paragraphs and sentences?
• Language: Have you used a wide range of advanced vocabulary and complex grammatical structures (e.g., passives, conditionals, inversion)? Is the spelling and punctuation accurate?