A lecturer at Waterloo Engineering collaborated on development of an interactive computer game to help students learn the mechanisms of the cap-and-trade system.
Jason Grove, a lecturer in chemical engineering, partnered on the project with Neil Randall, executive director of the Games Institute at the University of Waterloo, and Alex Fleck, a doctoral candidate at the institute.
Cap-and-trade systems work by setting a limit on the total amount of carbon emissions that can be released in a jurisdiction. Regulated facilities in effect are given a reduction target and must decide how to reach it.
In the game, one player acts as a regulator who sets the scheme and oversees the game. The other players assume the roles of four regulated industries that must make decisions to comply with the scheme.
Go to Serious game teaches students how cap-and-trade reduces CO2 emissions for the full story.