Gamified learning: Nudging young people through the ‘My Sustainable Lifestyles Challenge’

So how do we bridge the gap between awareness and action? The demand for a strategic, engaging way to foster behavioural change towards sustainable lifestyles led to the creation of the “My Sustainable Lifestyles Challenge” (MSLC), an online gamified learning platform designed to inspire behaviour change through engaging and actionable commitments. Developed by UNSSC and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs), it is based on five lifestyle areas identified by the Anatomy of Action (AoA): the food we eat, how we live, how we move, the stuff we buy and the things we do for fun.

Participants take on six challenges on everyday life decisions, all while earning points, competing in teams, and unlocking the crown of the sustainable lifestyles champion. MSLC helps bridge the knowledge-to-action gap by sharing actionable content that inspires participants to connect with their peers and practice sustainable lifestyles. They do not just learn about the pressing issues of climate change or resource conservation; they act, motivated by a points system, team competition, or personal achievements that reinforce sustainable behaviour in a real-world context. MSLC is designed with gamification at its core and is hosted on a platform built by the 2B Collective. In three years, MSLC has engaged more than 3,000 participants, all taking up the challenge and becoming advocates for sustainable lifestyles.

The power of gamified learning

So, what sets gamification apart? By tapping into elements of competition, rewards, and achievement, an otherwise passive educational experience becomes an active, participatory one.

MSLC offers an engaging, human-centered approach to learning that enhances the participants’ sense of agency and their ability to contribute to a shared solution. MSLC embodies a forward-thinking approach that aligns with the global youth agenda.

This kind of learning experience is transformative because it humanizes the journey toward sustainable living. The challenge mode ensures that participants not only understand the importance of sustainable actions but are motivated to implement them in their daily lives. It is acknowledging the barriers to change while offering a solution that makes sustainability not just a goal, but an enjoyable, communal experience.

“These challenges have taught me that a meaningful life is a mindful life which means being aware of our options, conscious about our choices, and critically evaluative of our actions. The My Sustainable Lifestyle Challenge has taught me how easy and simple it can be to be environmentally mindful.” — Krisha Karippail, MSLC 2024 Participant Testimony