China takes on UQ's CarbonGame

University of Queensland (UQ) PhD student Adrian Ward has used the CarbonGame iPad app to run a workshop for the Shanghai Energy and Environment Exchange, the Chinese government agency in charge of implementing the country’s emissions trading scheme.

The CarbonGame, developed by Ward, Dr Paul Dargusch and Sebastian Thomas from UQ’s School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, is an interactive iPad simulation program aimed at future and current policy makers to assist businesses and institutions better manage and respond to key issues of global change, helping achieve the most sustainable outcomes.

Members from the Shanghai Energy and Environment Exchange took part in the workshop, held on 25 November, as part of a trial of numerous trading models with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and smog.

“More than 30 participants in senior industry and government roles took part in this CarbonGame emissions trading workshop, gaining a hands-on understanding of the key principles of cap-and-trade schemes,” said Ward.

The app teaches advanced practical skills in carbon management through group gaming and has already been played by more than 4000 participants from 15 countries.

In China, a case study is currently being developed by Ward to understand how carbon markets and carbon finance can be leveraged to improve ecosystem health and sustainability outcomes for poor communities within the Tibetan Plateau and other high-mountain communities.

“It could soon become one of the world’s biggest carbon markets and play a leading role in ambitious action on climate change,” commented Ward.