Introduction
Sustainability is at the heart of IB Design Technology (DT). From material choices to production methods and product life cycles, sustainability principles guide how students think about design in the modern world. With first exams in 2027, this is one of the most important areas of the syllabus to master.
In this article, we’ll explore the role of sustainability in IB DT, how it appears in both coursework and exams, and how to study it effectively. For complete guidance, RevisionDojo’s IB Design Technology hub has in-depth resources tailored for the new syllabus.
Quick Start Checklist
- Sustainability is a core theme across the syllabus.
- Appears in IA projects, Paper 2, and Paper 3 (HL).
- Involves materials, energy use, production, and waste management.
- Requires evaluation of trade-offs in design decisions.
- RevisionDojo provides sustainability-focused study resources for 2027 exams.
What Sustainability Means in IB DT
In IB Design Technology, sustainability means designing products and systems that:
- Minimize environmental impact – reducing waste, energy use, and emissions.
- Maximize efficiency – designing products that use resources wisely.
- Promote longevity – creating durable and reusable designs.
- Encourage circular systems – emphasizing repair, reuse, and recycling.
Sustainability in Assessments
- Paper 1: Tests definitions (e.g., renewable vs non-renewable, life cycle analysis).
