Terrabilis Sustainable Development Game

Quick Answer: The Terrabilis Sustainable Development Game is a boxed strategy game in which players develop a territory and have to balance its economic, social and environmental progress, a sustainable development game for teaching the three pillars of sustainability through play.

Balancing Three Pillars in One Game

Sustainable development is usually taught as a balance between three pillars: economic growth, social well-being and protection of the environment. Terrabilis turns that idea into a game. Each player manages a territory and makes development choices, and the game is built so that progress on all three fronts matters; a player who builds only industry, or protects only nature, falls behind.

The classroom value comes from the trade-offs. A decision that raises income may use up natural resources; a social investment may slow growth for a turn. Players feel these tensions in their own results and can then connect them to real debates about energy, transport, farming and cities. Rules and components are not detailed in this listing, so read the rulebook before the lesson.

The image file linked to this listing shows a French box, so check the language of the edition supplied. Strategy games with a lot of printed text are hard to use in a language students do not read fluently.

Applications

• Introducing the three pillars of sustainable development in geography or environmental studies
• Debriefing on trade-offs: which choices helped one pillar at the cost of another
• Linking game decisions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Extended sessions in eco-clubs or enrichment afternoons

Preparing and Debriefing

• Play a practice round with a few staff or students before the full class session.
• Leave time for a debrief; the discussion after the game is where the learning is secured.
• Bag counters and cards by type and store the box flat.

Specifications

Why Choose LabEquip

Geography and environmental education teachers use strategy games like Terrabilis to show that sustainability involves trade-offs, not a single right answer. LabEquip lists it in General Lab Products alongside the Eco6themes Game, and edition details can be confirmed through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three pillars of sustainable development?

They are economic development, social equity or well-being, and environmental protection. Development is considered sustainable when it meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, which means keeping all three in balance.

Why use a game to teach sustainable development?

Sustainability is about trade-offs, and a game lets students experience them through their own decisions. Watching a score fall because a resource ran out is more memorable than reading about it.

How can the game link to the Sustainable Development Goals?

After play, ask students to match their decisions to relevant goals, such as clean energy, decent work, sustainable cities or life on land. This connects the game’s abstract choices to real global targets.

Which subjects can use Terrabilis?

Geography, environmental science, economics and citizenship education all cover sustainable development. It also suits cross-curricular days on which teachers from several subjects work together.

How should the debrief after the game be run?

Ask each group which pillar they favoured and what it cost them, then compare strategies across groups. End by relating one game decision to a real-world case, such as a new dam, a factory or a protected forest.

What age group is Terrabilis suited to?

The listing does not state an age rating. Games that involve balancing several scores generally suit upper primary pupils with support and secondary students on their own, so read the rules to judge the level.

Last Updated: September 2026