We always listen to our readers, hence – here is requested top 100+ IB ESS Extended Essay research questions specifically selected and grouped by our best IB wriiting experts.

We have structured them according to IB EE guidelines and divided into:

• ✅ 25 Simple but Interesting
• ✅ 25 Unique and Not Overused
• ✅ 25 Complex and Challenging
• ✅ 25 Current and Up-to-Date
• ✅ 10 Fun and Unusual

Each question is focused, researchable, and designed to integrate environmental science with societal and ethical considerations, aligning with the interdisciplinary nature of ESS.

🟩 25 Simple but Interesting ESS Extended Essay Topics

(accessible, data-collection friendly, and straightforward)

1. To what extent does tree canopy cover influence surface temperature in an urban park?
2. How does water quality vary upstream and downstream of a local wastewater treatment plant?
3. To what extent do different composting methods affect decomposition rate of food waste?
4. How does daily school electricity usage change between summer and winter?
5. To what extent does household water usage differ between apartments and single-family homes?
6. How does urban noise pollution vary across residential, commercial, and green zones in [City]?
7. To what extent do biodegradable vs. plastic bags degrade in soil over 4 weeks?
8. How does the type of fuel used in cooking (e.g. gas vs. induction) affect indoor air quality?
9. To what extent does local rainfall correlate with groundwater levels over one year?
10. How does the biodiversity of insect populations vary between organic and conventional farms?
11. To what extent do local fast food chains recycle their packaging waste?
12. How does solar panel angle affect energy output in different seasons?
13. How does the diversity of tree species affect leaf litter decomposition rates in a local forest?
14. To what extent do weekly carbon footprints differ between students using cars vs. public transport?
15. How does traffic density correlate with PM2.5 levels on main vs. side roads?
16. To what extent does pH vary between different bottled water brands?
17. How do three different insulation materials affect the rate of heat loss in a model house?
18. How does the water retention of sandy, loamy, and clay soils compare?
19. To what extent does green roof coverage reduce indoor building temperatures?
20. How does foot traffic affect vegetation cover in a public park?
21. To what extent does weather affect local solar panel energy production?
22. How does plastic waste vary before and after a community clean-up event?
23. How does the air temperature vary between shaded and unshaded areas in summer?
24. To what extent do students at [school] understand and apply the concept of “zero waste”?
25. How does algae growth vary between ponds with different levels of nitrate pollution?

🟦 25 Unique and Not Overused ESS EE Questions

(fresh ideas, creative setups, underused perspectives)

26. How does rooftop gardening affect urban microclimates in tropical cities?
27. To what extent do eco-friendly detergents affect aquatic life compared to standard ones?
28. How do rewilding projects impact native pollinator populations in urban gardens?
29. To what extent do solar-powered phone chargers reduce students’ electricity use on campus?
30. How does air quality differ in classrooms with vs. without indoor plants?
31. To what extent does artificial turf affect soil biodiversity compared to natural grass?
32. How do cultural attitudes affect household recycling habits in immigrant communities?
33. How does river restoration affect bird species diversity along its banks?
34. To what extent do meat alternatives reduce the carbon footprint of student meals?
35. How does green wall implementation impact noise reduction in school corridors?
36. How do waste separation habits differ between schools with and without environmental education programs?
37. To what extent do community gardens promote environmental stewardship in low-income areas?
38. How does smartphone usage correlate with energy use awareness among teenagers?
39. How does reforestation in post-fire zones affect soil carbon levels over 2 years?
40. To what extent does air drying vs. tumble drying laundry affect carbon emissions in households?
41. How do bird migration patterns change due to urban light pollution?
42. How does compost use affect soil temperature and microbial activity in spring?
43. How do electric bikes impact urban commuting carbon emissions compared to regular bikes?
44. To what extent do natural dyes in clothing production reduce aquatic toxicity?
45. How do ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) ratings influence consumer brand preference in teens?
46. How does the use of reusable packaging affect student behavior in a school cafeteria?
47. To what extent does music festival waste impact surrounding ecosystems?
48. How does biochar improve water retention in dry agricultural soils?
49. To what extent does artificial pond aeration improve dissolved oxygen levels?
50. How do sea walls affect coastal erosion compared to natural mangroves?

🟥 25 Complex and Challenging Questions for ESS Extended Essay

(for ambitious students — modeling, multi-variable, long-term projects)

51. How does urban heat island intensity correlate with socioeconomic status in [City]?
52. To what extent does population density affect per capita water consumption across urban districts?
53. How do pesticide runoff levels from agricultural zones affect macroinvertebrate diversity downstream?
54. How does climate change impact phenological shifts in local flowering plant species?
55. To what extent do microplastics accumulate in freshwater fish in polluted urban rivers?
56. How does atmospheric CO₂ concentration affect the stomatal density of leaves in polluted vs. clean zones?
57. How do environmental Kuznets curves apply to air quality trends in China from 2000–2020?
58. How do temperature and humidity fluctuations affect methane emissions in landfills?
59. How does land use change affect evapotranspiration rates in peri-urban forests?
60. To what extent can ecological footprint analysis accurately assess sustainability in international schools?
61. How do carbon offset programs differ in impact between renewable energy and reforestation-based models?
62. How does nitrogen deposition from nearby highways affect species richness in forest edge ecosystems?
63. How do variations in climate resilience policy affect flood preparedness in coastal cities?
64. To what extent does ecological succession progress in an abandoned urban green space over 5 years?
65. How do crop rotation and monoculture farming affect soil respiration rates?
66. How do environmental justice principles apply to waste facility placement in disadvantaged U.S. communities?
67. How does changing snow cover affect alpine plant populations in northern Europe?
68. How does glacial melt affect nutrient flow into Arctic marine ecosystems?
69. How do reforestation policies affect carbon sequestration rates across different Brazilian biomes?
70. To what extent do green tax incentives affect household solar panel adoption in Denmark?
71. How do permafrost thaw rates correlate with CO₂ and CH₄ emission models in Siberia?
72. To what extent can LEED certification reduce lifecycle energy use in new office buildings?
73. How does industrial water usage impact biodiversity in estuarine ecosystems?
74. How do UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) conflict or align in palm oil plantations in Indonesia?
75. How do green school certifications correlate with student eco-literacy levels?

🟨 25 Current and Up-to-Date Questions for Your Environmental Extended Essay

(focused on global events, trends, and issues post-2020)

76. How has COVID-19 lockdown affected urban air quality in [City]?
77. To what extent has plastic pollution increased in local rivers post-pandemic?
78. How do new EU regulations on single-use plastics affect consumption behavior in cafés?
79. To what extent do electric scooters reduce short-distance vehicle emissions in [City]?
80. How have wildfires since 2020 affected soil pH and regeneration in California?
81. How has the Ukraine conflict influenced food security and environmental degradation in Eastern Europe?
82. How do fast fashion return policies contribute to textile waste in landfills?
83. How has e-waste increased during the global shift to remote work and learning?
84. How does climate anxiety affect sustainable behavior among high school students?
85. How does TikTok’s environmental activism shape Gen Z waste habits?
86. How do carbon emissions vary between hybrid, remote, and in-person schooling models?
87. How do reusable face masks compare to disposables in carbon and waste footprint?
88. How has microdosing fertilizer technology reduced eutrophication risk in modern farms?
89. How does climate policy in the Inflation Reduction Act affect local solar adoption in the U.S.?
90. How do vertical farms improve urban food security in post-pandemic cities?
91. To what extent do biofuels reduce net emissions in aviation since 2020?
92. How has climate-induced migration affected natural resource use in refugee-hosting regions?
93. How effective are meat tax proposals in reducing livestock emissions?
94. How has the popularity of plant-based meat changed agricultural land use in the U.S. since 2021?
95. How do 2022–24 EU carbon tariffs affect global aluminum and steel production?
96. How do youth climate strikes influence local government policy implementation?
97. How has water usage changed in areas facing prolonged drought since 2020?
98. How do NFTs and blockchain technology affect carbon emissions in digital art communities?
99. How do desalination plants impact marine biodiversity in post-2020 developments?
100. How have coral reef restoration projects evolved since major bleaching events in 2016 and 2020?

🟪 10 Fun and Unusual Questions for Your Environmental Extended Essay

(quirky, original, and still academic)

101. To what extent can mushrooms grown on coffee grounds serve as a sustainable food source?
102. How do pet ownership habits influence carbon footprints in urban apartments?
103. To what extent does daily bubble tea consumption contribute to plastic waste in Taipei?
104. How does urban pigeon behavior change in response to littering patterns?
105. Can QR code scanning reduce food waste in student cafeterias?
106. How does artificial turf heat retention compare to natural grass in school sports fields?
107. How do thrift store social media influencers impact fast fashion purchasing among teens?
108. To what extent does walking barefoot on grass improve student well-being and reduce indoor energy use?
109. How do rain barrel systems in urban homes impact neighborhood water resilience?
110. To what extent do recycled materials in skate parks reduce construction-related emissions?