At CGI, we are using gamification to help students understand the importance of sustainability and how they can positively impact the environment. Gamification offers an enjoyable way to change perceptions of environmental stewardship from a duty to meaningful action.
By incorporating game design elements like points, badges, and challenges, gamification makes learning about environmental issues more enjoyable for young people. It encourages behavioral change, simplifies complex topics, fosters community engagement, and even creates real-world environmental impact.
The following are some of the gamification initiatives CGI Partners have implemented across our geographies:
Canada: Carbone Scol’ERE educates students about environmental challenges
In Canada, we partnered with Coop FA, a non-government organization (NGO) that deploys educational solutions to foster eco-responsible commitment and contribute to a sustainable society. Together, we developed Carbone Scol’ERE, a website that educates primary school students in Quebec about environmental challenges and sustainability practices through fun and interactive games. It is designed to ensure that the environmental lessons are retained by students throughout adulthood. Launched in January 2023, our CGI Partners contributed over 3,000 pro-bono hours to develop this unique game.
India: Eco-Champs inspires students to adopt eco-friendly practices
In India, we supported Bhumi, an NGO dedicated to social change through education, with their Eco-Champs Learning Management System (LMS). The virtual awareness program educates over 1,200 Indian students from grades 6 to 9 about sustainable living. It offers engaging lessons, hands-on activities and community-based initiatives that inspire students to adopt eco-friendly practices. Launched in 2022, our CGI Partners shared their technological expertise and facilitated projects to influence students and their communities positively. The initiative aims to evolve further by integrating additional gamification and involving more schools.
Slovakia: EKO Olympiada increases access to environmental knowledge
In Slovakia, we collaborated with Planet Lover, a civic association that raises environmental awareness and promotes sustainability among high school students. Together, we scaled up EKO Olympiada, an online environmental knowledge game that was initially limited to 6,000 participants. Through stress tests, performance monitoring and consultancy, we optimized the game’s performance to support up to 20,000 concurrent users. Today, the application runs smoothly, allowing more students to participate in this valuable educational experience.
UK: Planet Protectors helps students reflect on their carbon footprint
In the UK, we developed the Planet Protectors game as part of the Sustainability Exploration and Environmental Data Science (SEEDS) program. Students aged 8-13 can navigate a day in the life of a character and make eco-friendly choices for travel, food and leisure. Their decisions affect their “carbon score,” with tips on how to improve. Launched in 2024, this unique game has been used at science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach events to encourage students to reflect on their carbon footprint and make greener choices.
These projects demonstrate that engagement and interactive learning can be instrumental in building a sustainable future.
