Sustainability Games for Employees: How Companies Are Turning Play Into Purpose in 2026

In recent years, businesses have been increasingly committed to integrating sustainability into their core operations and corporate culture.

One innovative approach gaining traction is the use of sustainability games for employees. This strategy not only raises awareness about environmental issues but also encourages behavioural changes that contribute to a company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.

As of October 2025, there have been significant developments in how these games are designed and implemented, offering fresh opportunities for engagement and education.

The Rise of Sustainability Games for Employees

Sustainability games for employees are structured activities aimed at educating and engaging staff in sustainability practices through interactive and immersive experiences.

These games can take various forms, including digital simulations, board games, augmented reality (AR) experiences, and AI-driven challenges.

By transforming mundane sustainability practices into engaging activities, companies can foster a culture of environmental responsibility and innovation.

Latest Developments in Sustainability Games

With the rise of AI, several key developments have emerged in sustainability games:

1. AI-Personalised Challenge Engines

Platforms like EcoQuest AI and GreenPulse now offer AI-powered daily challenges tailored to each employee's role, location, and previous activities. These micro-tasks make sustainability efforts feel personal and relevant, although privacy concerns have been raised in some discussions.

2. Hybrid AR Scavenger Hunts

Organisations are combining physical audits with AR overlays to highlight virtual carbon-footprint hotspots in office spaces. Despite their novelty and engagement potential, technical glitches on older devices pose a challenge.

3. Blockchain-Based Reward Tokens

Startups such as CarbonCoin Play have introduced verifiable "green tokens" that employees can earn and redeem for real-world offsets. While this introduces transparent accounting, it also raises debates about the environmental impact of blockchain technologies.

4. Integrated ESG Dashboards

Tools like SustainScore and EcoMetrics integrate game scores with a company’s ESG reporting, providing a comprehensive view of sustainability efforts and their impact on corporate metrics.

Why Sustainability Games Matter

The integration of sustainability games into corporate environments addresses several critical needs:

1. Engagement and Awareness

Games make sustainability concepts accessible and exciting, which can significantly increase employee engagement and awareness.

2. Behavioural Change

By providing a platform for employees to practice sustainability in a gamified context, these games can lead to tangible behavioural changes that benefit the environment.

3. Measurable Impact

With integrated dashboards and clear metrics, companies can track progress and justify their investment in sustainability initiatives.

4. Cross-Department Collaboration

Sustainability games often require teamwork, fostering collaboration across different departments and creating a more cohesive corporate culture.

Implementing Sustainability Games

Types of Sustainability Games

Sustainability games come in various formats, suited to different learning styles and organisational needs:

Digital Simulations

These involve virtual scenarios where employees make decisions to minimise environmental impact while maintaining business objectives.

Board-Based Games

Physical games that promote sustainability strategies through competitive play. These are particularly effective in face-to-face team-building events.

Gamified Challenges

These involve setting up competitions or missions that motivate employees to adopt sustainable behaviours, such as reducing energy consumption or minimising waste.

Augmented Reality Experiences

Using AR technology to create immersive experiences that highlight environmental issues within the workplace.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

The primary goal of sustainability games is to instill eco-friendly habits and increase awareness of sustainability issues.

Key learning objectives include:

1. Carbon Footprint Reduction:

Educating employees on how their actions contribute to carbon emissions and encouraging practices that reduce their carbon footprint.

2. Waste Sorting and Reduction

Promoting efficient waste sorting and reduction techniques.

3. Circular Economy Thinking

Encouraging employees to think about resource usage and recycling in a way that aligns with circular economy principles.

Cost and Pricing Models

The cost of implementing sustainability games can vary depending on the format and scale.

Common pricing models include:

Subscription-Based Platforms: Regular access to a suite of games and challenges, updated frequently with new content.

Per-Seat Licensing: Charges based on the number of employees participating.

One-Off Licenses: A single fee for permanent access to a specific game or tool.

Companies should consider their budget constraints and seek a solution that provides the best ROI, ideally one that aligns with existing training budgets.

Implementation Logistics

Successfully implementing sustainability games involves several logistical considerations:

Setup Time and Technical Requirements: Understanding the time and resources required to set up games. This may include software installations or physical materials for board games.

Facilitator Support: Some games may require facilitators to guide employees through the process, especially in the early stages.

Integration with Existing Tools: Ensuring that new games integrate seamlessly with existing Learning Management Systems (LMS) or collaboration tools.

Case Studies and Examples

Treely: turning footsteps into impact

Treely is an eco-friendly team building platform that helps companies engage employees in sustainability through movement.

Every 15,000 steps = one tree planted or a donation to a cause, turning daily activity into measurable environmental and social impact.

Designed for remote and hybrid teams, Treely promotes wellbeing at work, team cohesion, and corporate sustainability goals (ESG).

Easy to organise and globally accessible the challenge boosts engagement, and creates purpose-driven workplaces through simple, positive actions. More information here.

The Climate Fresque: understanding climate change through collaboration

The Climate Fresk is an interactive workshop that helps teams grasp the science behind climate change in just a few hours.

Based on data from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), participants work together to connect the causes and consequences of global warming, turning complex science into a collaborative learning experience.

Perfect for corporate teams, schools, and communities, The Climate Fresk builds awareness, encourages dialogue, and inspires meaningful action toward sustainability.

By combining science, creativity, and teamwork, it transforms climate education into a shared, engaging, and empowering experience, helping organisations move from understanding to action.

Sustainable Games Alliance's Corporate Play-Back Toolkit

The Sustainable Games Alliance (SGA) introduced the “Corporate Play-Back” toolkit, offering modules like the "Server-Energy-Optimization Challenge" and "Eco-Design Sprint". These modules can be integrated into corporate training programs, providing structured and measurable sustainability engagement.

👉 Learn more about other eco-friendly team building ideas in our Eco-Friendly Team Building Activities for Employees article.

Reddit and Community Insights

Discussions on platforms like Reddit highlight both enthusiasm and challenges faced with sustainability games.

Positives: Users appreciate the personalised challenges and innovative formats.

Negatives: Concerns about privacy, technical issues, and the true environmental impact of technologies like blockchain are prevalent.

Resources to dive deeper

👉 Discover practical ways to engage hybrid and remote employees through sustainability in How to Engage Remote Teams in Sustainability.

👉 Understand how sustainability games support your company’s ESG strategy in What Are ESG Goals and How to Involve Employees.

FAQ Section

What are the best sustainability games for employees?

Treely stands out as a leading option by transforming team activities into tangible environmental impacts, such as planting trees. Other notable games include the Climate Fresque and board games designed for waste-reduction training.

How do sustainability games benefit a company’s ESG goals?

These games provide measurable outcomes that align with ESG goals, such as reduced carbon emissions and enhanced waste management. They also promote a culture of sustainability within the organisation.

Are there free sustainability games available for companies?

Yes, some platforms offer free trials or basic versions of their games, allowing companies to explore their potential benefits without a significant upfront investment.

What sustainability topics can a game cover?

Games can address a range of sustainability topics, including carbon footprint reduction, waste sorting, energy efficiency, and circular economy principles.

How do I measure the impact of a sustainability game?

The impact can be measured through integrated dashboards that track employee participation, behavioural changes, and contributions to the company’s ESG metrics.

What technology is required to implement sustainability games?

Depending on the game format, companies may need to invest in software platforms, AR devices, or physical game materials. It's essential to ensure compatibility with existing corporate systems.

Are sustainability games suitable for remote teams?

Absolutely. Many digital and app-based sustainability games are designed for remote team engagement, ensuring inclusivity regardless of location.

What are some common challenges with sustainability games?

Challenges include technical issues with AR devices, privacy concerns with AI-driven platforms, and ensuring that the games’ environmental impact is genuinely beneficial.

Can sustainability games be customised for different industries?

Yes, many platforms offer customisation options to tailor challenges and scenarios to specific industry needs and goals.

How can a company get started with sustainability games?

Begin by identifying your sustainability goals and selecting a game format that aligns with those objectives. Engage stakeholders across the company to ensure buy-in and effective implementation.

Conclusion

Sustainability games for employees represent a dynamic and practical approach to embedding environmental responsibility into corporate culture.

By fostering engagement, encouraging behavioural changes, and offering measurable outcomes, they play a crucial role in advancing a company's sustainability agenda.

As the landscape continues to evolve, organisations must stay informed and adaptable, leveraging new developments to maximise their impact.