IGCSE Environmental Management Topics by Exam Board

Written by: James Ball

Published

16 December 2025

Contents

Regardless of what IGCSEs you’re taking, knowing exactly what is on your specific syllabus is the key to success.

To do this, you need to start by asking your teachers or checking your school or college website to find out the exam boards and course codes that apply to you.

Key Takeaways

Exam boards differ. Topic coverage, emphasis and assessments vary. Don’t waste time revising stuff that is not in your specification
Cambridge is the only exam board that offers an IGCSE in Environmental Management, although Edexcel’s IGCSEs in Geography and Biology covers some similar content
The Cambridge IGCSE in Environmental Management syllabus has been updated for 2027 academic year
You can use the checklist in this article to audit your notes, plan your revision and track your progress
You can then fill any holes in your knowledge and understanding using the Environmental Management past papers found at Save My Exams

Cambridge IGCSE Environmental Management (CIE 0680)

The first thing to note is that Cambridge has recently updated the IGCSE Environmental Management syllabus (opens in a new tab) and the first examination using the new syllabus will take place in 2027. You must talk to your teachers to make sure you know which syllabus applies to you.

Assessment overview (for 2025–26) (opens in a new tab):

Paper 1: Theory (1h45, 50%) — structured & extended responses
Paper 2: Management in Context (1h45, 50%) — source-based extended responses

Topic Checklist (CIE 0680)

Tick off as you master each area.

Rocks and minerals & their exploitation
– Rock cycle; igneous/sedimentary/metamorphic (examples)
– Extraction (surface/subsurface), decision factors
– Environmental/social/economic impacts; waste & land restoration
– Sustainable use and recycling; legislation; mining case study
Energy and the environment
– Fossil fuel formation
– Energy resources (non-renewable & renewable), electricity generation
– Env/economic/social pros & cons; energy demand factors
– Conservation & management strategies; R&D of new resources Agriculture and the environment
– Soil composition & properties; plant nutrients
– Types of agriculture; raising yields (fertilisers, irrigation, biotech)
– Environmental impacts (pollution, eutrophication, pesticides)
– Soil erosion: causes, impacts & management; conservation case study
Water and its management
– Global distribution; hydrological cycle; water budgets
– Supply, demand, storage; water quality; disease; treatment
– Pollution sources & control; named water-body case study
Oceans and fisheries
– Ocean resources (food, chemicals, energy, transport, tourism)
– Fishing methods; overfishing; quotas & marine conservation; oil spills (MARPOL; response methods)
Managing natural hazards
– Tectonic, climatic and biological hazards; risk & vulnerability
– Prediction, preparation, response and long-term management
The atmosphere & human activities
– Composition; weather & climate basics
– Air pollution sources/effects; acid rain; ozone; climate change & mitigation
Human population
– Growth, structure, migration; resources & carrying capacity
– Population policies; urbanisation; health impacts
Natural ecosystems & human activities
– Biomes; food chains/webs; productivity
– Conservation, protected areas, sustainable resource use

Assessment overview (for 2027–29): (opens in a new tab)

Paper 1: Principles of Environmental Management (1h45, 50%) — Short answer and structured questions
Paper 2: Environmental Management in Context (1h45, 50%) — short answer, data-processing and source-based extended responses

Topic Checklist (CIE 0680)

Tick off as you master each area.

Natural resources

Formation of rocks
Extraction of rocks, ores and minerals
Sustainable management of rocks, ores and minerals
Energy resources
Conservation and management of energy resources
Fracking

Land

Soils and crop growth
Food production and crop yield
Soil erosion

Water

Water sources and supply
Water pollution
Water-related diseases
Marine aquaculture
Oil pollution
Plastic pollution

The atmosphere and human activities

The atmosphere
Climate change
Acid rain
Ozone depletion

Ecosystems, biodiversity and fieldwork

Ecosystems
Forest ecosystems
Managing biodiversity
Fieldwork investigations

Natural Hazards

Earthquakes and volcanoes
Tropical cyclones
Flooding
Drought

Human population

Human population density, distribution and structure
Human population size
Managing human population size

How to Use This Topic List in Your Revision

Identify gaps in your knowledge: Put the checklist next to your notes and give each area a red, amber or green rating. Mark areas where your knowledge is secure in green, those where you have some knowledge in amber and those that need work in red.
Plan sessions: Turn each bullet into a 25–40-minute study block. Mix content (read/annotate) with practice (questions/flashcards).
Find & fix gaps: After each practice set, highlight weak areas with and schedule a spaced-review slot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these topic lists based on the latest specifications?

Yes. There are differences between the 2025-26 syllabus and the 2027-29 syllabus, so make sure you know which one you are being entered for.

Where can I find practice questions by topic?

Save My Exams is a great place to find practice questions, past papers and a host of other resources that will help ensure you get the best grade possible in CIE Environmental Management. You will also find help for a whole host of other IGCSE subjects.

Final Thoughts

Make sure that it is Cambridge IGCSE Environmental Management that you are studying! Then, revise strategically: follow the matching topic checklist and practise by topic to close any gaps in your knowledge. You’ll find additional support — notes, topic questions and past papers — via Save My Exams and official specification pages linked throughout.