Serious Games for Sustainable Development

Sustainable development (SD) is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the subsequent generations to cater to their future needs (Brundtland, 1987). An ecologically balanced environment, long-term economic well-being, and social equity are commonly regarded as the triple bottom line (TBL) of SD. Effective management of the TBL requires the adoption of SD practices (Pope, Annandale, & Morrison- Saunders, 2004). The concepts of SD and the TBL have emerged as a major focus for the society because of factors such as the depletion of natural resources, changes in demographics, and a push toward a more equitable society. To achieve the goals of TBL, we will need the right attitude and managerial skills to examine these challenges holistically (Savitz, 2006), and the adoption of courses and degrees focusing on SD will play an important role in the curriculum of intermediate and higher education (Cotton, Warren, Maiboroda, & Bailey, 2007). The focus of this review is the use of serious games (SGs), designed with a primary purpose other than pure entertainment, as a tool to teach SD.