Focus
Environment is the single most common theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3. Learn words in themed groups so you can produce natural collocations rather than isolated terms.
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Topic Vocabulary: Environment
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# Topic Vocabulary: Environment
01
Section
Climate Change
| Term | Meaning & Usage |
|---|---|
| greenhouse gas emissions | Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. "Reducing emissions is the central goal of the Paris Agreement." |
| carbon footprint | The total CO2 produced by an activity. "Flying has a large carbon footprint." |
| fossil fuels | Coal, oil, gas. "Phasing out fossil fuels is a political as well as a technical challenge." |
| renewable energy | Solar, wind, hydro. "Renewable energy now supplies 30% of global electricity." |
| carbon-neutral | Producing no net carbon. "Several countries have committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050." |
02
Section
Pollution
| Term | Meaning & Usage |
|---|---|
| air quality | The cleanliness of the air. "Air quality in most cities worsens in winter." |
| particulate matter | Tiny particles in polluted air. "Particulate matter is linked to respiratory disease." |
| plastic waste | Discarded plastic. "Single-use plastic waste is now found in every ocean." |
| contaminate | To make something impure. "Agricultural runoff contaminates rivers and groundwater." |
| landfill | A site where waste is buried. "Landfill sites produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas." |
03
Section
Conservation
| Term | Meaning & Usage |
|---|---|
| biodiversity | The variety of life in a region. "Tropical forests have the highest biodiversity on Earth." |
| endangered species | Species at risk of extinction. "Trade in endangered species is restricted by international treaty." |
| habitat loss | The destruction of wildlife habitats. "Habitat loss remains the largest single driver of extinction." |
| ecosystem | A community of living things and their environment. "Coral reef ecosystems collapse when sea temperatures rise." |
| sustainable | Able to continue without damaging the environment. "Sustainable farming uses fewer chemical inputs." |
04
Section
Solutions & Policy
| Term | Meaning & Usage |
|---|---|
| mitigation | Reducing the severity of something. "Mitigation measures include planting trees and improving insulation." |
| incentive | Something that encourages action. "Tax incentives have boosted the uptake of electric vehicles." |
| recycle / reuse | To process for reuse / to use again. "Only 9% of plastic is actually recycled." |
| carbon tax | A levy on emissions. "A carbon tax forces polluters to pay for the damage they cause." |
| green technology | Tech designed to be environmentally friendly. "Investment in green technology has doubled over the decade." |
05
Section
Sample Essay Sentences
- The environmental consequences of unchecked industrial growth are becoming impossible to ignore.
- While individual action matters, systemic change through policy is essential for meaningful progress.
- Emerging renewable technologies offer a realistic path to decarbonisation, although the transition will take decades.