NCEA Level 2 Education for Sustainability (90814) 2008 — page 1 of 4
Assessment Schedule – 2008
Education for Sustainability: Describe aspects of sustainability in relation to a
sustainable future (90814)
Evidence Statement
Evidence
This assessment focuses on
aspects of sustainability as per
EN4. Candidates are required to
identify and apply the four aspects
of sustainability (environmental,
social, cultural, economic) to a
discussion of a sustainable future
in the context of each particular
question.
Candidates must select TWO
questions to answer from the three
provided.
EN3: A sustainable future requires
the development of ways of
thinking and acting to meet the
needs of the present generation
without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their
own needs.
Sustainability includes, but is not
limited to:

maintenance of biodiversity,
ecological processes, and life
support systems

an economy relative to its
ecological life support system

a fair distribution of resources
and opportunities

looking beyond direct
consequences of activities to
explore attitudes, values and
moral issues that create
particular views on the use of
natural resources

personal and social
responsibility.
EN4: The aspects of
sustainability are environmental,
cultural, social, and economic.
These aspects, and the
interdependence between them,
need to be described, explained,
and discussed in the context of
different resource material
provided.
Achievement
Merit
Excellence
Answers TWO
questions.
Describe aspects of
sustainability related to
a sustainable future.
EN 5
Describe requires
candidates to give an
account, or
characteristics, of the
aspects of
sustainability.
Answers TWO
questions.
Explain aspects of
sustainability related to
a sustainable future.
EN 5
Explain requires
candidates to provide
reasons as to how or
why the aspects of
sustainability relate to
a sustainable future.
Candidates must:
Candidates must:

describe at least
TWO aspects of
sustainability

explain at least
TWO aspects of
sustainability

refer to the context
provided for each
question, ie use
quotes from the
extracts provided
or refer to
statistics

refer to the context
provided for each
question, ie use
quotes from the
extracts provided
or refer to
statistics
show some
understanding of
the
interdependence
of the aspects
described.
The description may
not clearly relate
aspects to the
development of a
sustainable future, but
an attempt has been
made.
eg Environmental
sustainability is
important in all that we
do. We need to be
aware that what we do
with our waste does
have an impact on
other living creatures
and biophysical
systems, as well as
the life of other human
beings. The statistics
show that in New
Zealand, more waste
is going to landfill.

show clear
understanding of
the
interdependence
of the aspects
explained
Answers TWO
questions.
Discuss aspects of
sustainability related to
a sustainable future.
EN 5
Discuss requires
candidates to
demonstrate
understanding of links
between different
aspects of
sustainability related to
a sustainable future. It
may involve
candidates in making
judgements, stating
opinions, relating,
considering
implications, projecting
future impacts,
evaluating options,
comparing and
contrasting, analysing,
or suggesting
alternatives.


clearly relate
aspects to the
development of a
sustainable future.
eg Environmental
sustainability is
important in all that we
do, for we rely on this
natural capital to meet
our needs. What we
do with our waste does
have an impact on
other living creatures
in that it can alter
biophysical systems,
putting them out of
balance. The statistics
on waste in New
Zealand clearly show
that we are wasteful
and linear in our
thinking when it comes
to consumer products.
Candidates must:

discuss TWO OR
MORE aspects of
sustainability

refer to the context
provided for each
question, ie use
quotes from the
extracts provided
or refer to
statistics

demonstrate
understanding of
the
interdependence
of the aspects
discussed

clearly relate
aspects to the
development of a
sustainable future.
eg Environmental
sustainability impacts
on the accepted model
of economic
sustainability. We have
neglected for too long
NCEA Level 2 Education for Sustainability (90814) 2008 — page 2 of 4
to value fully our
natural capital that we
rely on for our needs.
Often economic
sustainability, in other
words single bottom
line, is all that
mattered in decisionmaking. This is seen in
the article / statistics …
What we do with our
waste does have an
impact on other living
creatures in that it can
alter biophysical
systems, putting them
out of balance. True
cost accounting helps
us realise the cost of
our consumption
choices on all aspects
of sustainability.
Judgement Statement
Achievement
Merit
Excellence
Describe aspects of sustainability
in relation to a sustainable future.
Explain aspects of sustainability in
relation to a sustainable future.
Discuss aspects of sustainability in
relation to a sustainable future.
2×A
1 × A and 1 × M
1 × M and 1 × E
OR
OR
2×M
2×E
This achievement standard requires descriptions of aspects of sustainability in different contexts in relation to a
sustainable future.
The judgement should be holistic, based on the balance of evidence presented for assessment. The candidate
must have shown an understanding of at least TWO aspects of sustainability within TWO different contexts.
The following codes were used in the marking of this standard:
SA
sustainability aspects
D
Description
SF
sustainable future
R
Reason
Cp
Sustainability concepts applied
J
Justifies, evaluates
SE
Supporting evidence
L
Links or connections stated, compares /
contrasts
Op
Opinion
BP
Behaviours and Practices
VA
Values and Attitudes
Co
Consequences
NCEA Level 2 Education for Sustainability (90814) 2008 — page 3 of 4
Appendix – Example answers
Question One: Carefully study the cartoon above. The cartoonist is making a point about western lifestyles and
rising sea levels that has clear links to aspects of sustainability. Choose THREE concepts from the list below.
Then, beginning on page 4, discuss the cartoonist’s message in relation to a sustainable future. Refer to each of
the THREE concepts you have chosen.
Cartoonist’s message described / explained / discussed in relation to a sustainable future. At least THREE
concepts from the list applied in the description / explanation / discussion
Concept list:

Social and personal responsibility

Ecological footprint

Interdependence and interaction

Future generations

Perception

Resource distribution and depletion

Ecological systems
Achievement: Cartoonist’s message described in relation to at least TWO aspects of sustainability and using
THREE concepts from the list. Description refers to a sustainable future.
eg Concept 1: Future generations – The cartoonist is making a clear point that if we don’t change our ways, we
won’t have much of a future. The person speaking is relatively selfish in that he or she didn’t think of future
generations when buying all those things. The person was probably driven by consumerism and had little
understanding of how the choices he or she now makes may impact on the environment or on people
elsewhere. Probably the person didn’t really understand how everything is interdependent – that driving big cars
does have an impact on the planet. If the person understood that the environment limits all that we do as it
provides our life force, then the economic choices may well have been different.
Merit: Cartoonist’s message described in relation to at least TWO aspects of sustainability and using THREE
concepts from the list. Explanation refers to a sustainable future.
eg Concept 1: Future generations – The cartoonist obviously wants us to understand that if we don’t change our
ways, we won’t have much of a future. He portrays a city flooded due to sea level rise and the speaker as a
mass consumer who doesn’t really care. The speaker is relatively selfish in that he or she didn’t think of future
generations when buying all those things. He or she showed little social or personal responsibility for the sea
level rise or anything. The cartoonist is using that person as a representative for most of the West’s population.
So many people don’t really understand how our earth systems are interdependent – that what we do, like
driving big cars, does have an impact on ecological systems. Here in New Zealand, we will take in climate
refugees from low-lying Pacific nations like Tokelau as their islands will be swamped by rising sea levels caused
by consumerist behaviour of the West. If we truly understood that the environment provides our sustenance and
limits all that we do, then our economic choices may well have to be different. Too often, we in the West fail to
see the connection between what nature provides and what we eat, drive, or dispose of.
Excellence: Cartoonist’s message discussed in relation to at least TWO aspects of sustainability and using
THREE concepts from the list. Discussion refers to a sustainable future.
eg Concept 1: Future generations – This cartoon is a powerful statement about the “don’t care, head in the
sand” consumerist attitude of many people in the wealthy “West”. It also clearly shows the link between
environmental and social aspects of sustainability in that we in the “West” are driven to consume more to the
detriment of our planet and of other human beings elsewhere. The ecological footprint of most Western nations
is far higher than that of, say, India. If everyone lived like we do in the West, we would need about seven
planets. The cartoonist obviously wants us to understand that if we continue consuming as we have, we won’t
have much of a future. Sea level rise caused by global warming is shown as the main threat to our lifestyles;
and the cartoonist suggests that if we were willing to consume less, there may be hope for a more sustainable
future. The speaker, who represents most of us, is relatively selfish in that he or she didn’t think of future
generations when buying all they did. Many people don’t understand, or don’t want to know, how our earth
systems are interdependent – that what we do, like driving big cars, does have an impact on ecological systems
and will, therefore, have a consequence for those who come after us. Here in New Zealand, local governments
are preparing to mitigate the impacts of climate change; but the attitudes and behaviours of ordinary people will
need to change before legislation will have much impact.
Question Two: Read the article carefully. The author ends with a challenge. Refer to examples that you have
studied this year to discuss how individuals, organisations, governments, and / or business are applying, or
could apply, aspects of sustainability in order to “save the planet”.
Answer to focus on at least two examples of how individuals, organisations, governments, and / or businesses
NCEA Level 2 Education for Sustainability (90814) 2008 — page 4 of 4
are applying aspects of sustainability to “save the planet”. Refer to actual examples or case study material.
Achievement: Description of how at least TWO individual, organisation, government body, and / or businesses
are applying aspects of sustainability to “save the planet”. Actual example or case study described, eg The kiwi
recovery programme is one example of a group of people working in partnership with government groups,
banks, and other businesses to save our most important icon. The partnership demonstrates the aspects of
sustainability working together to ultimately maintain biodiversity in that social organisations like Forest and Bird,
that involve ordinary New Zealanders, are working collaboratively to support ecosystems. Such organisations
encourage community building while at the same time expanding people’s understanding of the environment.
Merit: Explanation of how at least TWO individual, organisation, government body, and / or business is applying
aspects of sustainability to “save the planet”. Actual example or case study explained, eg The kiwi recovery
programme is one example of people working in partnership – local people, government organisations, banks,
and other businesses – to save our most important icon. The partnership demonstrates the link between at least
TWO aspects of sustainability (ie social and environmental sustainability) working to ultimately maintain
biodiversity. This partnership is important because it demonstrates what Waring says: “It’s the responsibility of
us all now”. Only by groups of people working together and understanding the common goal will a sustainable
future be possible.
Excellence: Discussion of how at least TWO individual, organisation, government body, and / or businesses are
applying aspects of sustainability to “save the planet”. Actual example or case study discussed,
eg The kiwi recovery programme is one example of people working in partnership – local people, rūnanga,
government organisations, banks, and other businesses – to save our most important icon. The partnership
demonstrates the link between all aspects of sustainability (ie social, cultural, economic, and environmental
sustainability) working to ultimately maintain biodiversity. For the kiwi, this means not only helping the breeding
programme but also making their habitat predator-free. Scientific evidence, community understanding, and
economic support from the different groups involved make saving the kiwi for future generations possible.
Different community groups working collaboratively helps build understanding of the different things that drive
people to save this unique species, be it for cultural reasons (such as Māori for significance of kiwi historically)
or for ecological reasons. This partnership is important because it demonstrates what Waring says: “It’s the
responsibility of us all now”. Only by groups of people working together and understanding the common goal will
a sustainable future be possible.
Question Three:
(a) Refer to the figures, and identify issues New Zealand is currently facing, or is likely to face, as the country
moves to develop a sustainable future.
(b) Discuss the implications for New Zealand should the figures continue to rise, and the likely impact on
aspects of sustainability.
Relevant issues facing New Zealand identified. Implications for New Zealand described / explained / discussed
should the figures continue to rise in respect to at least TWO aspects of sustainability.
Achievement: TWO OR MORE issues identified. Description of possible implications for New Zealand should
figures continue to rise, eg One issue is the huge amount of energy consumed by transport (44%) as most of
New Zealand’s transport system is fuelled by oil, which we import. If we continue to use oil energy like this and
the cost per barrel continues to rise, it will be both economically and environmentally unsustainable. Socially, it
will hit the poorer people first as they will not be able to afford to run cars; also, cost of public transport will go
up.
Merit: TWO OR MORE issues identified. Explanation of possible implications for New Zealand should figures
continue to rise, eg Rising building cost is one issue that New Zealand will have to face if building sizes continue
to grow. The figures represent in part New Zealanders’ ecological footprint as, even though average household
size is declining, people are building bigger homes. This is more expensive in terms of cost, resource use and
energy consumed in heating and lighting the place over time. If such building style continues, it will be
unsustainable for New Zealand long-term both economically and environmentally because it will mean our cities
spreading outward across productive farmland and our competing internationally for increasingly scarce and
expensive building resources.
Excellence: TWO OR MORE issues identified. Discussion of possible implications for New Zealand should
figures continue to rise. Demonstrates understanding of links between aspects of sustainability.
eg Rising building cost is one issue that New Zealand will have to face if building sizes continue to grow. This
issue goes hand-in-hand with rising use of other energy and increased transport costs. The figures represent in
part New Zealanders’ ecological footprint as, even though average household size is declining, people are
building bigger homes. This is more expensive in terms of cost, resource use, and energy consumed in heating
and lighting the place over time. If our profligate lifestyles continue, as represented by increasing landfill waste,
then in the end people will not be able to build big houses because they will be unable to heat or light them
because we have used up all of the non-renewable resources required to support our lifestyles.