SOCIAL E-GAME
The Just Transition Challenge
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Background
Just Transition aims to balance climate action with social justice. It recognises that while we must rapidly reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts, the transition affects people differently, especially those who are already socially or economically disadvantaged. Just transition follows ecological, social, economic and institutional principles in a holistic way.

This e‑game uses simplified fictional scenarios inspired by real-life situations. Players make strategic choices that spark discussion. There are no right or wrong answers – but every decision changes the game’s outcome.

Role &
Project Aim
The NEXTGEN ACTION FUND promotes environmental health, human rights and social inclusion. It supports net‑zero transitions in African economies; protects ecosystems and livelihoods; and empowers climate‑affected youth. It aims to reduce emissions while advancing development and now plans to integrate just transition principles.

In this game, you take on the role of the board of a foundation that is supporting a just transition programme in the fictional country of Lumanaya. Your job is to take key decisions regarding the programme.

Game Rules
During the game you must take five decisions related to different facets of the just transition programme the foundation is supporting.
For each decision, please consider how it influences the:
Game Goal
To ensure a well-balanced strategy for a just transition, giving equal attention to all contributing factors is vital.
Your starting points are:
Ecological points 30
Institutional points 30
Social points 30
Economic points 30
Your
Team Name
Enter your name or the name of your team:
Decision 1 / 5
Initial Assessments
A government-NGO consortium in Lumanaya submitted a project that you approved. Your expert now advises you to conduct two assessments prior to kicking off the project on:
  • Climate and disaster risk
  • Net‑zero pathways aligned with the country’s climate policy

Your decision will determine the project’s direction.

Decision 1 / 5
Areas Previous Result Current
Ecological sustainability
Institutional sustainability
Social sustainability
Economic sustainability
Decision 2 / 5
New Opportunities for Youth
Youth trained in green energy and sustainable tourism skills prefer to stay in cities for higher salaries, leaving rural sectors without skilled workers. During the project’s mid‑term review, the partner organisation responsible for these trainings asks you to help design a strategy to attract young professionals back.
Decision 2 / 5
Areas Previous Result Current
Ecological sustainability
Institutional sustainability
Social sustainability
Economic sustainability
Decision 3 / 5
Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable tourism in Lumayana is booming, creating thousands of jobs and reducing youth unemployment. To sustain growth, the government proposes expanding the airport and building new resorts, inviting your foundation to co‑invest and even offering to name their project “NEXTGEN ACTION PARADISE.”
At your strategy meeting, you must choose between two options:
Decision 3 / 5
Areas Previous Result Current
Ecological sustainability
Institutional sustainability
Social sustainability
Economic sustainability
Decision 4 / 5
Renewable Energy
Lumanaya introduced subsidies for e‑cars and e‑bikes, built charging stations and banned fuel engines, rapidly boosting e‑mobility. But energy demand has now tripled and renewable supply lags due to grid delays. The government now asks your foundation to help fix this energy bottleneck.
Decision 4 / 5
Areas Previous Result Current
Ecological sustainability
Institutional sustainability
Social sustainability
Economic sustainability
Decision 5 / 5
Net-Zero Goals
A mid-term evaluation finds that the foundation’s programme does not achieve the necessary emissions reduction and climate protection impact and recommends corrective measures to align with net‑zero goals. After discussing this, you consider two options:
Decision 5 / 5
Areas Previous Result Current
Ecological sustainability
Institutional sustainability
Social sustainability
Economic sustainability
Final Score
The project comes to an end after six years. Your result:
 Ecological points
Institutional points
Social points
Economic points

Your final score after assessing the balance of the distribution of points within the four sustainability areas is:

Your Profile
Your sustainability focus:

You prioritised environmental urgency in a just transition. To succeed, do not forget to bring people along and safeguard economic stability.

You prioritised the social dimension of a just transition. While ownership takes time, the urgency of climate action must remain central.

You prioritised economic growth in a just transition. While improving livelihoods matters, long‑term protection of natural resources must remain central.

You prioritised institutions and governance in the just transition. While cooperation requires compromise, climate urgency and alignment with the green transition must remain intact.

Scoreboard
Your score:
Position: 1
Scoreboard refresh  
Game complete!
Thank you for playing and exploring a just transition in practice. Though real-world challenges are more complex, aligning ecological, institutional, social and economic goals is achievable. Together, we can ensure today’s quality of life strengthens tomorrow’s foundations.
Concept: Felix Boos, Dorothea Wawrinka, Christina Aebischer, Peterson Paul
Game design: Absolutist, Ukraine 2026
The development of this e-game was made possible through funding from the Funders International Network for Development.
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Scoreboard