HKBU Pioneers a Card Game for Envisioning Low-carbon Energy Communities:
From Play to Impact
Our interdisciplinary research team at the Department of Geography and Asian Energy Studies Centre at Hong Kong Baptist University has developed a card game designed to engage citizens in envisioning a smart energy community. This innovative card game unleashes creativity through knowledge, discussion, and collaboration. Rather than relying on plain or abstract dialogue, the game offers a visual and interactive experience that places players in concrete, relatable scenarios, making complex energy topics much more accessible. By exploring different options side by side, households are empowered to compare, reflect, and co-create a more sustainable and low-carbon future for their community.
A community game to explore low carbon energy community future
Kids, adults and the elderly all enjoyed playing the card games.
This is a trilingual game which includes Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Korean and English, engaging players from different regions around the world.
The card game serves as a creative tool to inspire citizens to exchange views on the future of low-carbon communities and policy-making . Starting in 2024, our research team has been using this visual tool to lead both face-to-face and online workshops, facilitating hybrid-mode engagement. It has already reached over 120 players across nine workshops in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Seoul, and Bristol. Participants range from primary students to adults, and even elderly in the communities.
The online card game’s game board.
Workshop in Sehung Shui, Hong Kong (Nov, 2024)
Workshop in Fairview Park, Hong Kong (Dec, 2024)
Workshop in Fung Kai No.1 Primary School (Feb, 2025)
Workshop in Meisha, Shenzhen
(Mar, 2025)
Workshop in Seoul (Nov, 2024)
Workshop in Bristol (Jan, 2025)
How the game works
The game includes three major parts:
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Identify the community characteristics
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Envision the low-carbon actions for your community
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Select the community helping hands for the low-carbon action
Through engaging discussion and collaborative sharing among players, the game concludes with a simple analysis that classifies the type of low-carbon community envisioned. This provides a meaningful reflection of each team’s ideas and priorities.
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Community Characteristics Card
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Community Helping Hands Card
4 Low-carbon energy action categories
Together, we can drive low-carbon energy action in four key areas: Energy, Technology, Community, and Capital. By making personal choices, we can inspire community efforts and broader societal change.
Energy
How to save electricity consumption through sustainable energy source and activities engagement
Technology
What technology can be applied and improved to increase energy efficiency and reducing carbon emission
Community
How can the community collaborate and engage together for achieving a low-carbon community
Capital
The economic incentives or measures that facilitate the development of low-carbon action which includes investment and subsidies in different modes.
What You’ll Gain from the Game
Boost Environmental, Social and Economic Awareness
Understand how daily decisions shape the sustainability of our communities.
Foster Dialogue and Idea Exchange Among Neighbours
Strengthen community bonds by discussing shared visions for a low-carbon future.
Support Community-Driven Low-Carbon Planning
Help gather diverse opinions and insights to inform local energy and climate strategies.
Discover Alternative Pathways for Low-Carbon Living Explore practical, creative, and context-specific approaches to building a more sustainable community.
Join the game experience!
We welcome community groups, schools and NGO to get in touch and host a Low-carbon Community Card Game Workshop! Through this interactive experience, participants can explore sustainable living in a fun and collaborative way.
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Workshop duration: 1-2 hours (subjected to the content design)
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Number of players: 10-20 (around 5 people per group)
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Mode: in-person or online versions
If you are interested, please feel free to contact us:
3411 7187