AQA GCSE Geography Paper 3, June 2025: Question 2

10 marks · Medium difficulty · Extended Response

Discuss the environmental impacts of renewable energy generation and explain why the proposed Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary scheme is considered a multi-use project.

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Question

Question text

Study Figure 2 in the resources booklet, ‘Towards a renewable energy future

in the UK’.

02.1 ‘All types of renewable energy generation have an impact on the physical

environment.’

Discuss this statement.

[6 marks]

Extra space …

02.2 Suggest why the proposed Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary scheme is a

multi-use project.

[4 marks]

(06) …

Extra space …

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme

02 1 ‘All types of renewable energy generation have an impact on the 6

physical environment.’

Discuss this statement.

Level Marks Description

3 5–6 AO2 – Demonstrates detailed understanding by

(Detailed) using evidence to show how different types of

renewable energy can impact the physical

environment.

AO3 – Demonstrates detailed application of

understanding by using evidence from the resources

to discuss how different types of renewable energy

can impact the physical environment.

2 3–4 AO2 – Demonstrates clear understanding by

(Clear) showing some awareness of how different types of

renewable energy can impact the physical

environment.

AO3 – Demonstrates clear application of

understanding by using evidence from the resources

to consider the effects of different types of renewable

energy can impact the physical environment.

1 1–2 AO2 – Basic understanding of how renewable

(Basic) energy can impact the physical environment.

AO3 – Basic consideration of how renewable energy

can impact the physical environment.

0 No relevant content.

• Level 3 (detailed) responses – Offers a detailed and evidenced discussion

in relation to the impacts of different types of renewable energy on the

physical environment with some exemplification of the impacts of different

renewable energy sources.

• Level 2 (clear) responses – Shows an understanding that renewable

energy generation can impact environments by considering different energy

sources and different impacts.

• Level 1 (basic) responses – Shows an awareness of some impacts of

renewable energy generation on the physical environment.

Indicative content

• Impacts can be positive or negative. May be linked to mitigation of climate

change. – – –

• Each example on Figure 2 suggests that there are particular issues

associated with each type of renewable energy generation.

10 • Biomass – burning biomass can create pollution issues.

• Hydro-electricity – can result in flooding areas or change river systems.

• Wind turbines – take up space, can be noisy and unsightly.

• Geothermal energy – takes up space, often quite large, intrusive buildings.

• Wave energy/Tidal energy – structures in the sea/on the seabed can affect

the marine environment

• Solar panels – can look unsightly and take up land

• Environmental impacts can be related to loss of habitats, changing

habitats/ecosystems, impact on particular animals (birds-wind turbines),

noise, visual pollution, air pollution, smell (biomass/burning).

• Manufacturing/disposal of renewable energy technology can have negative

environmental impacts.

– – –

AO2 – 3 marks

AO3 – 3 marks

02 2 Suggest why the proposed Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary scheme 4

is a multi-use project.

Level Marks Description

2 3–4 AO3 – Uses the resources effectively to show a

(Clear) clear understanding of the idea of “multi-use” by

outlining how the Morecambe Bay and Duddon

Estuary scheme has a variety of uses.

1 1–2 AO3 – Some basic awareness of the idea of “multi-

(Basic) use” which offers an understanding that the

Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary scheme has

more than one use.

0 No relevant content.

• Level 2 (clear) responses – Demonstrates a general understanding of the

concept of “multi-use” and relates this to the Morecambe Bay and Duddon

Estuary scheme by outlining a number of different uses/potential uses of the

scheme.

• Level 1 (basic) responses – A definitional answer which gives some

understanding of the idea of different uses with limited evidence from the

resources to support the idea that the Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary

scheme is a multi-use scheme. Basic idea of the scheme improving transport

and generating energy.

Indicative content

• The scheme is clearly defined as a multi-use scheme in Figure 2.

• The direct uses are identified as energy generation and transportation

infrastructure.

• There are a number of observations which could be considered as “uses”,

including the link to local business and the potential economic boost to the

area.

• The map and text suggest that the area has significant recreational and

tourism value and the Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary scheme may

encourage greater use because of the enhanced transport links (reducing

travel times and potentially easing congestion).

• The development of infrastructure and energy generation might encourage

the development of new industries.

• The potential increase in visitor numbers might increase opportunities in the

fishing industry.

AO3 – 4 marks

How to answer it

AQA GCSE Geography: Renewable Energy & Multi-Use Schemes

📌 What This Question Tests

Specification Link: Resource Management – Energy (Paper 3 / Pre-release theme: Towards a renewable energy future in the UK).

AO2 (Understanding): Demonstrating knowledge of how varied renewable energy sources affect the physical environment (land, wildlife, water, atmosphere).
AO3 (Application & Evaluation): Interpreting booklet resources to discuss a statement with balanced points and defining the concept of a "multi-use project" with real-world geographical context.

Question 02.1

'All types of renewable energy generation have an impact on the physical environment.' Discuss this statement.

Extended Response (6 Marks) • AO2: 3 marks, AO3: 3 marks

💡 Key Knowledge: Renewable Impacts on the Physical Environment

Hydro-electric (HEP): Inundates upstream land, floods habitats, and alters downstream sedimentation and river flow.
Wind Turbines: Visual intrusion on natural landscapes, noise pollution, bird and bat collision risk.
Tidal & Wave Barrages: Disrupts marine migration, changes intertidal mudflats where wading birds feed, alters coastal currents.
Biomass: Air pollution (particulates/CO₂) during combustion; intensive land use replaces natural ecosystems.
Solar Farms: Large land footprint can reduce natural biodiversity if managed poorly (though can create pollinator zones).
Positive Impacts: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating global climate change, sea-level rise, and ocean acidification.

🧠 Exam Technique: Achieving Level 3 (5–6 Marks)

Deconstruct the prompt: The word "All" invites a challenge or discussion. Do all renewables have equal impact? Can impacts be positive as well as negative?
Focus strictly on the PHYSICAL environment: Talk about ecosystems, bird life, rivers, soils, and visual landscape—avoid veering purely into economic costs or jobs.
Structure (Two detailed paragraphs + judgement):
1. Evidence supporting the statement (negative impacts of at least 2 contrasting renewables).
2. Counter-perspective / nuance (positive environmental impacts via reducing climate change, or low-impact offshore projects).

✅ Model Answer (Level 3: Full 6 Marks)

I broadly agree with this statement because harnessing natural energy inevitably alters physical landscapes and ecosystems, although the scale and type of impact vary greatly.

On one hand, large-scale developments cause substantial local environmental disruption. For example, hydro-electric dams flood large valleys, destroying terrestrial habitats and severely altering downstream river ecology. Similarly, tidal barrages across estuaries (such as Morecambe Bay) disrupt natural tidal flow and sedimentation, threatening intertidal mudflat ecosystems essential for wading birds. Even wind farms require extensive ground foundations, can cause visual intrusion in open uplands, and pose collision risks to migrating birds and bats.

On the other hand, the statement overlooks the vital positive impact renewables have on the physical environment at a global scale. Unlike fossil fuels, renewables emit virtually no operational greenhouse gases, directly mitigating climate change, coral bleaching, and coastal retreat. Furthermore, micro-generation (such as rooftop solar panels) has a negligible footprint on natural ecosystems compared to large surface schemes. Therefore, while all renewables interact with the physical environment, the impacts can be both positive and negative depending on scale and location.

❌ Common Errors to Avoid

Drifting into human/economic impacts: Writing about the cost to build turbines, tourism income, or electricity bills. The question explicitly states physical environment.
Only discussing one renewable: A response discussing solely wind energy cannot get beyond Level 1 or low Level 2. Compare at least two distinct types (e.g., Wind vs. Tidal/HEP).
Ignoring positive physical effects: Forgetting that reducing fossil fuel burning directly protects ecosystems against climate breakdown.

📋 Mark Scheme Levels Breakdown

Level 3 (5–6 marks): Detailed, evidenced discussion of different types of renewable energy; explicitly links mechanisms to physical environmental changes; balanced evaluation.
Level 2 (3–4 marks): Clear awareness of impacts on environments; covers more than one energy type, but may be somewhat descriptive or unbalanced.
Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic points; focuses on a single type (e.g., "windmills are noisy and kill birds"); lacks geographical detail.

Question 02.2

Suggest why the proposed Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary scheme is a multi-use project.

Short Structured Application (4 Marks) • AO3: 4 marks

💡 What is a "Multi-Use" Project?

A multi-use scheme is a planned infrastructure development designed to deliver more than one distinct function or benefit from the same site, rather than serving a single purpose.

Primary Use 1: Clean Energy Generation – Tidal barrages/turbines producing renewable electricity.
Primary Use 2: Transport Infrastructure – Barrage crest used as a road/rail bridge to cut journey times.
Secondary Uses: Regional flood protection, boosted coastal tourism, leisure/cycle paths, and access for marine industries.

🧠 Exam Technique: 4-Mark "Suggest Why"

Clear Definition + Evidence: First state clearly that the project serves two or more functions, then extract directly from Figure 2.
Use connectives of consequence: "This means that..." or "Consequently..." to develop how the scheme functions for different users.
Ensure 2 distinct functions are developed: Cover energy generation AND transport/economic links to access Level 2 (3–4 marks).

✅ Model Answer (Level 2: Full 4 Marks)

The Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary scheme is described as a multi-use project because it integrates clean energy generation directly with regional transport infrastructure, rather than serving a single isolated function.

Firstly, it acts as a major renewable power plant using tidal barrages and lagoons to generate low-carbon electricity from the daily movement of tides. Secondly, the top of the barrages provides a direct transport corridor across the estuaries. This bridge significantly cuts travel times between coastal towns (such as Barrow-in-Furness and Lancaster), reducing road congestion on detour routes and improving connectivity for local businesses and tourism. Because it combines environmental energy benefits with regional transport and economic improvements, it is classified as multi-use.

❌ Common Errors to Avoid

Defining only one role: Spending the entire answer explaining how tidal electricity is made and failing to mention transport or tourism.
Failing to define "multi-use": Not clarifying that the term means having multiple distinct functions sharing the same physical footprint.

📋 Mark Scheme Levels Breakdown

Level 2 (3–4 marks): Uses resource effectively; clearly demonstrates the concept of "multi-use" by outlining a variety of distinct uses (e.g. energy + transport + regional economy).
Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic definitional answer; identifies only one clear use or mentions more than one with no supporting detail from the resource.

Topics

3.2 Challenges in the human environment · 3.3 Geographical applications · 3.2.3 Section C: The challenge of resource management · 3.3.1 Section A: Issue evaluation

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Geography examination, Paper 3, June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.