From pixels to planet: educating for sustainable development through video games

Video games are increasingly employed to engage younger generations in education and awareness campaigns on sustainable development, aligning with the UN’s Agenda 2030 and the European Green Deal. Over the past decade, the number of serious games addressing sustainability has doubled (Stanitsas et al., 2019). Industry leaders have developed in-game initiatives, like Rovio with “Angry Birds Champions for Earth” (2015), and participated in broader institutional programs, such as Playing for Planet Alliance (2019), facilitated by UNEP. By joining this Alliance, gaming companies and organisations have committed to specific, measurable sustainability goals, ranging from reducing carbon emissions to incorporating green initiatives within their games. Many video games, especially those targeting younger audiences, include elements that raise awareness about sustainable development. For example, in Alba: A Wildlife Adventure (Ustwo Games, 2020), players take on the role of a young girl visiting her grandparents on a Mediterranean island where biodiversity is threatened by the construction of a luxury resort. The game illustrates how small actions can make a significant difference in environmental protection, such as raising awareness by photographing endangered species or collecting signatures to prevent the development of the hotel. Furthermore, popular titles like Minecraft (Mojang, 2011) are included in educational campaigns developed by a variety of stakeholders, both profit and nonprofit, operating at local, national, and global levels. These projects show how education for sustainable development is more salient when it is closely tied to the context that players experience daily. This chapter examines a specific institutional campaign in Venice, a city grappling with urgent environmental challenges, where developers built an interactive map of the lagoon in Minecraft to promote sustainable development. The study aims to underscore the potential of video games as tools for sustainability education and their broader significance in fostering digital citizenship. By engaging players in meaningful and context-aware experiences, these media can encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and active participation in addressing real-world challenges. These skills are essential for cultivating responsible and informed citizens who can navigate and contribute to a rapidly evolving, interconnected world.