Collocations for IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Environment

Environment-related questions are frequent in the IELTS writing task 2. Whether it’s about pollution, climate change, or sustainable practices, using topic-specific collocations can help demonstrate lexical resource and boost your band score. In this guide, we’ll explore useful environment-related collocations and how to apply them in your essays effectively.

Why Use Collocations in IELTS Writing?

Collocations are natural combinations of words commonly used by native speakers. Using them in your IELTS essays:

• Enhances lexical accuracy and fluency.
• Makes your writing sound more natural.
• Helps you express ideas precisely.

Key Environmental Vocabulary

Before diving into collocations, let’s revisit some essential IELTS Vocabulary:

• Pollution: Introduction of harmful substances into the environment.
• Biodiversity: Variety of different species in a habitat.
• Ecosystem: A biological community interacting with its environment.
• Conservation: Protecting and preserving natural resources.
• Extinction: Complete disappearance of a species.

Common Collocations for Environmental Topics

Here are some of the common collocations for Environmental topics:

1. Environmental Degradation

• Serious environmental degradation
  Example: “Urban expansion can lead to serious environmental degradation.”
• Irresponsible disposal of industrial waste
  Example: “The irresponsible disposal of industrial waste is a major source of water contamination.”
• Waste treatment systems
  Example: “Improved waste treatment systems can reduce river pollution.”
• Discharge chemical waste
  Example: “Many factories still discharge chemical waste directly into water bodies.”

2. Pollution and Waste Management

• Litter the streets
  Example: “Tourists often litter the streets, damaging the area’s visual appeal.”
• The emission of greenhouse gases
  Example: “The emission of greenhouse gases contributes significantly to global warming.”
• Chemical fertilizers and weed killers
  Example: “The overuse of chemical fertilizers and weed killers contaminates the soil and groundwater.”
• Contamination of land, air, and water
  Example: “Contamination of land, air, and water is reaching critical levels globally.”
• Toxic waste
  Example: “Improper handling of toxic waste poses a threat to public health.”
• Dump waste
  Example: “Factories must not dump waste into rivers without proper treatment.”

3. Deforestation and Resource Use

• Illegal logging and deforestation
  Example: “Illegal logging in tropical forests contributes to biodiversity loss.”
• Burning fossil fuels
  Example: “Burning fossil fuels releases harmful carbon emissions into the atmosphere.”
• Deplete natural resources
  Example: “Overconsumption is depleting natural resources at an alarming rate.”
• Growing demand for fossil fuels
  Example: “The growing demand for fossil fuels leads to increased carbon emissions.”

4. Climate Change and Renewable Energy

• Fight climate change
  Example: “Nations must unite to fight climate change and implement global policies.”
• Reduce carbon footprint
  Example: “Using public transport can help reduce your carbon footprint.”
• Offset carbon emissions
  Example: “Some companies offset carbon emissions by funding green projects.”
• Searing heat / Temperatures soar
  Example: “Searing heat and soaring temperatures are now common in European summers.”
• Widespread flooding
  Example: “Climate change has resulted in widespread flooding in low-lying regions.”
• Renewable energy sources
  Example: “Renewable energy sources like wind and solar can reduce dependency on fossil fuels.”
• Solar heating / Offshore wind farms / Hybrid cars
  Example: “Solar heating and hybrid cars are eco-friendly solutions to fight climate change.”

5. Environmental Policy and Sustainability

• Green taxes
  Example: “Governments can introduce green taxes to encourage eco-friendly practices.”
• Sustainable development
  Example: “Sustainable development must be prioritized to protect future generations.”
• Environmental protection
  Example: “Environmental protection is now a global responsibility.”
• Promote environmentally friendly technology
  Example: “More funding is needed to promote environmentally friendly technology.”
• Curb environmental deterioration
  Example: “Laws can help curb environmental deterioration.”

6. Everyday Environmental Action

• Conserve energy
  Example: “Simple actions like switching off unused lights help conserve energy.”
• Sort daily garbage
  Example: “Sorting daily garbage is an easy habit that supports recycling efforts.”
• Lower the demand for energy in every household
  Example: “Energy-efficient appliances help lower the demand for energy in every household.”
• Raise ecological consciousness
  Example: “Educational campaigns raise the public’s ecological consciousness.”

Practice Exercises

Here are some practice exercises to make use of the collocations:

Exercise 1: IELTS Essay Topics for Practice

Try to include at least five collocations in your responses to the following topics:

1. Some people think that to prevent illness, governments should reduce environmental pollution and improve housing. To what extent do you agree?
2. Technological progress has brought environmental problems. Some argue for simpler living, while others believe technology will solve these issues. Discuss both views.
3. The best way to tackle global environmental problems is to increase fuel prices. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
4. Should governments take full responsibility for reducing environmental damage?

Exercise 2: Fill in the Gaps

Use the collocations below to complete the dialogue:
Searing heat | Temperatures soar | Widespread flooding | Dire consequences | Carbon footprints | Food miles | Carbon emissions | Hybrid car | Solar heating | Offshore wind farms | Run dry | Green taxes | Eco-friendly

Interviewer: Parts of Europe now experience intense (1) and (2) above average every summer. Some areas face (3).
Gary Prime: If we ignore this, there will be (4). We must reduce our (5) by flying less and cut our (6) by buying locally. Some airlines let passengers offset their (7).
We need to drive a (8), install (9), and support (10). Oil may (11) soon. Politicians should introduce (12) to support (13) architecture.

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

1. It’s absolutely __________ that we all act to stop global warming.
2. Fossil fuel reserves may __________ within decades.
3. More __________ wind farms are being built globally.
4. You can __________ your carbon emissions through special schemes.
5. Continued pollution will bring __________ consequences.
6. Green architects focus on __________ design.

Exercise 4: Correct the Collocation Errors

1. We need alternative energy sources, not origins.
2. Use searing heat, not soaring.
3. It should be solar heating, not sun heating.
4. Temperatures soar, not expand.
5. Governments should introduce green taxes, not present.
6. He drives a hybrid car, not a mixed one.
7. Use weather patterns, not designs.
8. Vehicle emissions, not transmissions.
9. We must change our ways, not way.

Answer Key

Exercise 2: Fill in the Gaps

1. searing heat
2. temperatures soar
3. widespread flooding
4. dire consequences
5. carbon footprints
6. food miles
7. carbon emissions
8. hybrid car
9. solar heating
10. offshore wind farms
11. run dry
12. green taxes
13. eco-friendly

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion (Sample Answers)

1. It’s absolutely vital that we all act to stop global warming.
2. Fossil fuel reserves may run dry within decades.
3. More offshore wind farms are being built globally.
4. You can offset your carbon emissions through special schemes.
5. Continued pollution will bring dire consequences.
6. Green architects focus on eco-friendly design.

Exercise 4: Correct the Collocation Errors

1. Correct: alternative energy sources (not origins)
2. Correct: searing heat (not soaring)
3. Correct: solar heating (not sun heating)
4. Correct: temperatures soar (not expand)
5. Correct: governments should introduce green taxes (not present)
6. Correct: hybrid car (not mixed one)
7. Correct: weather patterns (not designs)
8. Correct: vehicle emissions (not transmissions)
9. Correct: change our ways (not way)

Mastering environmental collocations can elevate your IELTS Writing Task 2 performance and help you achieve your desired IELTS Band Score. Use them naturally in essays, especially when explaining causes, effects, and solutions to environmental issues. Keep practicing and revisit these expressions regularly.

Useful Links:

• How to Plan an IELTS Opinion Essay?
• Recent IELTS Topics in Writing Task 2 for 2025
• Tips to Write an Effective Introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Answer sheet
• Popular Synonyms for 'My Opinion' You Can Use in IELTS
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Should I give my opinion?
• Parallelism in IELTS Writing: What It Is and How to Use it?