The Climate Game
by WongDoody, for The Financial Times
The International Energy Agency – a globally recognised group of scientists and data experts – created a predictive data model establishing a roadmap of changes needed for the world to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Financial Times recognised the importance of sharing the information with its readers and sought out WongDoody to develop a digestible method of presenting the data that goes beyond words.
The Climate Game puts the reader in the driver's seat as ‘global minister for future generations’, giving them the authority to make all policy decisions to lower CO2 emissions to net zero by 2050. It seeks to appeal to real-life policymakers and younger, non-specialist audiences alike. The aim of the game is it teach players the cause and effect of actions taken across key emissions sectors in an engaging, digestible format while still capturing the complexities of the process.
The game had over 650,000 plays in the first 10 weeks, with 56% of Financial Times readers playing through to the end and spending more than 15 minutes in the simulation. It also secured a spot at COP27, receiving praise from members of the United Nations climate change efforts as well as Greenpeace. The Climate Game is now also used by teachers to create lesson plans derived from the gamified content in UK sixth form colleges.
The judges said: “Outstanding work backed by sound, factual science-based targets. It’s well executed as well, with engaging visuals that do not distract from the content and overall message.”
Design, Climate, Action: Designing Sustainably
HALL OF FAME WINNERS
winner
Re-imagining the Life on Earth Gallery
by Thomas Matthews, for Leeds City Museum
Thomas Matthews was commissioned by the Leeds City Museum to sustainably re-fresh its natural science gallery Life on Earth, with a minimum waste, low-carbon design approach. The brief was to retain and retell the stories of the existing collection on a tight budget, expressing the urgency of climate crisis and the social history of the gallery's visitors.
Many of the displays were large, conditioned cases that couldn’t be re-located, so the studio re-navigated the visitor journey and interpretation plan. New section intro panels and flexible slide stands for labels were implemented, meaning future updates will be low impact and cost.
The graphics aim to reflect the museum's heritage while positioning the organisation as a modern scientific establishment. Taking a less is more approach, Thomas Matthews removed a large fibreglass piece – which was given to a local organisation – resulting in better views across the space.
Structural fins made from reclaimed timber and recycled paint were sourced from local social enterprise businesses and existing structures were reused to minimise embodied carbon impact.
New kids' furniture was made locally with 100% recycled post-consumer plastic and spools left over from the fabric trade. Sourcing locally means money and work stays in the area and carbon emissions from transport are reduced.
Research by sustainability consultants showed that Thomas Matthews reduced its carbon footprint by 40 per cent.
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