Ethical & sustainable thinking
Consider ethical, social and environmental consequences when developing ideas or taking action.
Why it matters
An idea can benefit some people while creating difficulties for others. Considering fairness and longer-term social or environmental effects helps make those consequences part of the decision about how to proceed.
What this can look like
- considers who may benefit or be harmed by an action
- takes account of longer-term social and environmental consequences
- weighs an idea’s value against its possible costs to others
Youth relevance
Choices about an event’s accessibility, a project’s use of resources or a business idea’s effects can involve competing interests. Young people can consider who benefits, who may be disadvantaged and what consequences could last beyond the project.
Ways young people can practise this skill
- consider who may benefit or be disadvantaged by an idea
- compare short-term benefits with longer-term consequences
- consider social and environmental effects when choosing between options
Connected themes
Related skills
Explore these connected skills for another perspective.
Problem-solving
Systems thinking
Understand how parts of a situation depend on one another and how changes can have wider effects.
Inclusion & diversity
Inclusive participation
Recognise and respond to barriers that affect people's opportunities to participate meaningfully.
Critical thinking
Reasoned decision-making
Compare options and make a choice using evidence, priorities, likely consequences and practical limits.