What is IGCSE Environmental Management? Overview for Students

Written by: James Ball

Published

2 December 2025

Contents

The IGCSE Environmental Management course enables you to gain insights into how people interact with the natural world.

It is also useful in helping you understand what can be done to build a more sustainable future. In essence, it bridges the gap between the sciences and subjects like geography and citizenship to explore the current environmental challenges that the world faces, such as pollution, climate change and the scarcity of resources.

If you are passionate about these issues and want to understand how we can protect the planet whilst our societies continue to advance, this might well be the course for you.

Key Takeaways

What it is: IGCSE Environmental Management looks at the various ways that we exploit and manage natural resources and how this impacts areas such as energy, agriculture, water and pollution.
Assessment: You will be assessed through two written exams at the end of the course. Paper 1 is on Theory and Paper 2 is on Management in Context.
Skills you’ll develop: Data analysis, evaluation and decision-making. You will also develop critical thinking skills.
Future pathways: You will learn knowledge and skills that will be invaluable when studying A Level Geography, Biology or Environmental Science.

What Is IGCSE Environmental Management?

The IGCSE Environmental Management course is about how humans interact with and affect the environment. It also looks at the ways that the impacts of human activities can be limited or reduced.

Much of the course content has traditionally been taught in geography or biology, but the IGCSE Environmental Management course enables you to apply that knowledge in a real world context.

You will study how human activities such as mining, farming and industry impact on natural systems such as the water cycle and the atmosphere and what can be done to lessen the damage.

Outside the classroom, studying the IGCSE Environmental Management course will make you a more informed global citizen who is able to both understand and explain the environmental and societal challenges of the 21st century.

What Topics Are Covered in the Course?

Here are the main topic areas of the Cambridge IGCSE Environmental Management (0680) (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab)syllabus:

Rocks and Minerals and Their Exploitation – how we extract and use natural resources like metals and building materials.
Energy and the Environment – energy sources, fossil fuels, renewable alternatives, and the challenge of energy security.
Agriculture and the Environment – food production, soil management, and the environmental impact of farming.
Water and Its Management – water resources, pollution, and sustainable supply.
Oceans and Fisheries – marine ecosystems, overfishing, and ocean resource management.
Managing Natural Hazards – understanding earthquakes, floods, and other disasters, and how societies can prepare and respond.
The Atmosphere and Human Activities – air pollution, climate change, and global warming.
Human Population – population growth, migration, urbanisation, and their environmental effects.
Natural Ecosystems and Human Activities – conservation, biodiversity, and the balance between human development and nature.

Each topic is tied to real-world examples that illustrate how countries have been impacted and how the various strategies they have tried in response.

How Is the Subject Assessed?

The IGCSE Environmental Management is assessed entirely through two written examinations. There are no coursework or practical components.

Paper 1: Theory (1 hour 45 minutes) – 50% of total grade

Structured and data-response questions.
Tests understanding of environmental processes and issues across all topics.

Paper 2: Management in Context (1 hour 45 minutes) – 50% of total grade

Case study-based questions that require applying knowledge to real scenarios.
Focus on decision-making, analysis, and evaluation.

There is one common tier for all candidates (no separate Core or Extended levels).

What Skills Will You Develop in IGCSE Environmental Management?

You will learn both academic and practical skills that will be invaluable for both future study and life beyond education:

Data interpretation: Reading graphs, maps, and tables to draw logical conclusions.
Evaluating evidence and drawing conclusions: Comparing viewpoints, weighing pros and cons of environmental decisions.
Written communication and decision-making: Writing structured, balanced essays and reports.
Understanding sustainability and resource management: Recognising how resource use affects ecosystems and future generations.
Critical thinking on global issues: Analysing problems like climate change or deforestation from scientific, economic, and social angles.

How Does Environmental Management Compare to Geography or Science?

Whilst there is a large overlap in terms of course content with both Geography and Science (particularly biology), the approach of IGCSE Environmental Management is more issue focused and that knowledge is applied in real-world contexts.

Compared to Geography:

Environmental Management focuses less on physical landforms and mapping, and more on sustainability and solutions. For example, managing pollution or conserving biodiversity.

Compared to Science:

Environmental Management uses scientific ideas (from biology, chemistry, and physics) but applies them to real environmental challenges, rather than focusing on lab experiments or formulas.

Environmental Management is the perfect subject for students who enjoy both science and social understanding and have a passion for environmental issues.

Why Choose IGCSE Environmental Management

The IGCSE Environmental Management is for you if:

You care about climate change and want a deeper understanding about how humans can protect the planet
You enjoy solving problems rooted in the real-world rather than memorising facts
You have an interest in geography, environmental science and sustainability and are looking for a subject that bridges all of them

In terms of future careers, IGCSE Environmental Management provides a great foundation for anyone considering employment in environmental science, urban planning or conservation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IGCSE Environmental Management Hard?

That depends. It requires you to analyse information, write structured answers and interpret data. That comes easier to some students than others.

The subject matter also appeals to some students more than others. If the environment is something you are passionate about and interested in, it might not feel like work at all. The key thing to remember is that this IGCSE requires you to understand and apply ideas to real-world situations, not just memorise facts.

What Can I Study After IGCSE Environmental Management?

It is the ideal preparation for:

A Level Geography or Environmental Science
Global Perspectives
Biology or Chemistry (for scientific routes)
Economics or Politics, if you’re interested in sustainability and development.

Is There Coursework in IGCSE Environmental Management?

No. You will be assessed by two 1 hour 45 minutes examinations.

Final Thoughts

If you’re curious about how humans interact with and impact the world and want to know how we can live more sustainably, the IGCSE Environmental Management is an excellent course. It will help you make sense of the environmental challenges facing our planet. It also equips you with valuable skills that are transferable to a variety of academic or career paths.