# World Climate Simulator

> World Climate Simulator is a free, browser-based climate strategy game and educational tool. Players govern one of 50+ real countries as climate minister, making energy policy decisions — carbon taxes, renewable subsidies, nuclear investment, efficiency standards — and steering their nation toward net zero emissions by 2050. The game runs 5-year turns from 2025 to 2050, showing the real-world tradeoffs between economic growth, energy security, and climate action.

World Climate Simulator is designed for students, teachers, policy researchers, and anyone curious about climate change and energy policy. It uses real baseline data (energy mix, GDP, emissions) for each country and models realistic cause-and-effect relationships between policy choices and climate outcomes.

## Key Facts

- **Type**: Free browser-based strategy/simulation game; serious game; educational tool
- **Topic**: Climate change, energy policy, net zero transition, carbon taxes, renewable energy
- **Players**: 50+ real countries (USA, Germany, China, India, Brazil, UK, France, Japan, Australia, Norway, and more)
- **Gameplay**: Turn-based, 5-year steps, 2025–2050
- **Core mechanics**: Policy sliders (carbon tax, renewables subsidy, nuclear investment, efficiency standards), R&D tech tree (12 technologies across 4 tiers), international trade diplomacy (12 trade deals), multi-turn climate crises, budget management
- **Technologies researched**: Battery Storage, Smart Grid, EV Infrastructure, Offshore Wind, Green Hydrogen, Advanced Nuclear, Carbon Capture, Perovskite Solar, Thorium Reactor, Fusion Power, Orbital Solar, Climate AI
- **Educational features**: Real-world data comparisons after each turn, policy education cards with real examples, global impact map, printable classroom report with reflection questions
- **Price**: Free (no download, no subscription, no payment)
- **Platform**: Web browser (desktop and mobile); PWA installable
- **URL**: https://worldclimatesimulator.innoquest.world/

## Climate Policies Modelled

1. **Carbon Tax**: A per-tonne fee on CO₂ emissions. Based on Sweden's world-leading €130/tonne carbon tax (introduced 1991). Reduces fossil fuel use, raises budget revenue. Real Sweden reduced emissions 27% while GDP grew 78%.
2. **Renewable Energy Subsidies**: Government support for solar and wind. Based on Germany's Energiewende feed-in tariffs. Germany grew renewables from near-zero to 59% of electricity in 30 years.
3. **Nuclear Investment**: Funding for conventional and small modular reactors. France generates 70% of electricity from nuclear — lowest electricity carbon intensity in Europe.
4. **Energy Efficiency Standards**: Mandatory minimum efficiency for buildings and appliances. Japan's Top Runner program and EU's Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings directive are real models.

## Educational Use

World Climate Simulator is used in secondary school and university courses on climate change, geography, economics, and political science. After completing a game, students can generate a printable Climate Policy Report with:
- Final performance grade (A+ through F)
- Emissions reduction achieved vs. real-world country data
- All policy decisions and technologies unlocked
- Emissions timeline from 2025 to 2050
- Four structured reflection questions for classroom discussion

## Real-World Data Coverage

The game includes verified real-world data snapshots (IEA, Our World in Data, Global Carbon Project) for: Germany (DE), USA (US), China (CN), India (IN), Brazil (BR), United Kingdom (GB), France (FR), Japan (JP), Australia (AU), Norway (NO). After each 5-year turn, players see how their results compare to what actually happened in that country during that period.

## Frequently Asked Questions (Direct Answers)

**What is World Climate Simulator?**
World Climate Simulator is a free online strategy game where you govern a real country's energy policy to fight climate change. You set carbon taxes, build renewable energy, invest in nuclear power, research new technologies, and negotiate trade deals — all to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

**Is World Climate Simulator free?**
Yes. It is 100% free. No download, no subscription, no in-app purchases. You need only a browser and a free account (email and password).

**What countries can I play as?**
50+ real countries including the USA, Germany, China, India, Brazil, UK, France, Japan, Australia, Norway, Canada, Russia, South Africa, Mexico, Indonesia, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Italy, and more.

**How long does a game take?**
A full playthrough from 2025 to 2050 takes 10–25 minutes.

**Can teachers use it in classrooms?**
Yes. The game includes a printable Climate Policy Report designed for school assignments, with reflection questions, performance grades, and comparison to real-world outcomes. It is suitable for secondary school (ages 14+) and university.

**What happens if I fail to stop climate change?**
If global temperature exceeds 2°C, Arctic ice collapses, coral reefs bleach at 90%+ annually, Sub-Saharan Africa faces crop failures, and the Amazon rainforest risks a dieback tipping point. The game models six vulnerable regions with real risk levels.

**Does the game use real climate data?**
Yes. Baseline energy mix, GDP, and emissions for each country are drawn from IEA and World Bank data. Real-world comparison data after each turn uses IEA, Our World in Data, and Global Carbon Project sources.

**How is the game scored?**
Points are awarded for emissions reductions, GDP growth, high public approval, and achievements. A leaderboard ranks all players globally and by country. Grades range from A+ (Climate Champion) to F (Climate Laggard).

## Pages

- [Home / Sign In](https://worldclimatesimulator.innoquest.world/): Registration, login, and game introduction
- [World Map](https://worldclimatesimulator.innoquest.world/select): Country selection map showing all 50+ playable nations
- [Game](https://worldclimatesimulator.innoquest.world/game): Main gameplay — policy sliders, tech tree, diplomacy, crises
- [Leaderboard](https://worldclimatesimulator.innoquest.world/leaderboard): Global and country-specific player rankings
- [Profile](https://worldclimatesimulator.innoquest.world/profile): Player achievements, stats, and game history

## Data Sources

- International Energy Agency (IEA) — energy mix and capacity data
- Our World in Data (OWID) — CO₂ emissions and renewable energy statistics (CC-BY licence)
- Global Carbon Project — annual CO₂ emissions data
- World Bank Open Data — GDP and population data