Climate action through system dynamics modeling
- Pierre Lambert
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
Addressing climate change requires innovative solutions that translate scientific data into actionable strategies. Climate Interactive, in collaboration with the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative, is a leading organisation dedicated to fostering effective and equitable climate action through system dynamics modeling and experiential learning. By offering interactive tools, Climate Interactive helps policymakers, businesses, and communities understand the interconnected impacts of environmental policies and drive sustainable solutions aligned with the global goals.
Transforming climate science into accessible tools
Climate Interactive has developed user-friendly climate simulators, such as En-ROADS and C-ROADS, which enable users to explore various climate strategies. These simulators have been instrumental in shaping international policies by evaluating the effectiveness of climate action measures across different sectors.
· En-ROADS: This interactive simulator assesses the long-term impact of various climate solutions, including energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, carbon pricing, and afforestation.
· C-ROADS: Used by policymakers and global institutions, this tool models the impact of national climate pledges and helps stakeholders refine their strategies to meet the Paris Agreement targets.
Climate Interactive’s commitment to justice and strong institutions has positioned its tools as indispensable resources in global climate negotiations. Over 414,000 people across 175 countries have used these simulators in policy discussions, university curricula, and community workshops. Key achievements include:
· Briefing US Senators, Representatives, and international policymakers.
· Supporting the UN Secretary-General’s office, the US State Department, and the Chinese Government in climate strategy development.
· Facilitating climate action simulations for businesses, universities, and grassroots organisations worldwide.
Experiential learning for climate leadership
Beyond technical analysis, Climate Interactive engages people through interactive workshops and role-playing games, empowering them to explore the complexities of climate action. These include:
· World Climate Simulation Game: Participants role-play as country representatives negotiating a global climate deal.
· Climate Action Simulation Game: Encourages businesses and policymakers to test sustainable policies.
· En-ROADS Climate Solutions Workshop: Provides insight into high-leverage actions for sustainability.
Statistics: Past achievements and future goals
The impact of Climate Interactive’s work is reflected in both historical milestones and projections for the future:
· In 2009, the organisation’s Climate Scoreboard was the first to quantify the impact of global climate pledges ahead of COP 15, influencing high-level policy discussions.
· In 2015, the C-ROADS simulator played a pivotal role in the U.S.-China Climate Accord, which contributed to the Paris Agreement.
· In 2019, the launch of the En-ROADS simulator made climate science accessible to decision-makers worldwide.
· By 2024, Climate Interactive has engaged over 414,000 participants, with projections indicating increased global adoption of climate simulations in government and education sectors.
Strengthening the global society for climate resilience
Achieving a sustainable future requires a global society committed to peace and justice, economic equality, and environmental protection. Climate Interactive’s work exemplifies the power of science-based decision-making, fostering collaboration among governments, businesses, and communities to build resilient climate policies.
With the urgency of the climate crisis, continued investment in system dynamics modeling and participatory learning is critical. For further insights into how Climate Interactive’s tools are shaping the future of climate action, visit their official resources and explore how these models can contribute to a more sustainable world.
For more information on Climate Interactive’s impact and how to get involved, visit:
Youtube credits: https://www.youtube.com/@climateinteractive