The World Climate Simulation is a group role playing simulation of the international climate change negotiations. This exercise provides participants the chance to explore the risks of climate change and the challenges of negotiating international agreements to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In a live, face-to-face setting, participants play negotiators representing countries and regional blocs that work to create an agreement that limits climate change by reducing GHG emissions. Proposals are tested using a climate policy simulation model that provides participants science-based feedback on the implications of their proposals for atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, global mean surface temperature, sea level rise, and other impacts. World Climate enables participants to explore the dynamics of the climate and impacts of proposed policies in a way that is consistent with the best available peer-reviewed science but that does not prescribe what should be done.
Company: MIT Sloan
Approximate price: free
Playtime: 3 hours
Learning objectives: To enable participants to learn about climate science and climate policy interactively, in a realistic, multidisciplinary context that integrates issues including the dynamics of climate change, economic development, international affairs, energy policy, and intergenerational equity. Participants also develop their skills in negotiation, presentation, and policy evaluation.
Link to simulation home page: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/teaching-resources-library/world-climate-simulation-negotiating-a-climate-change-agreement