Game-Based Approach to Bridging Evidence and Policymaking | Insights North East Workshop

The workshop aimed to delineate the energy system by describing its variables, drivers, barriers, levers, and causal loops, facilitate discussions on the roles and influence of relevant actors in the energy transition, and generate and evaluate potential measures conducive to the energy transition.

Structured to provide a comprehensive exploration and visual representation of the socio-technical energy system using a Causal Loop Diagram, the workshop identified the responsibilities of various actors and actionable steps they could undertake. It also served as a dynamic forum for discussion, educating and raising awareness among participants about the critical need for rapid dissemination and implementation of sustainable energy practices. The involvement of government officials and administrators highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in addressing complex energy challenges.

Building on the success of this workshop, there is a plan to apply this approach in the North East of England, starting with a specific policy challenge set by the local authority and potentially extending to the regional level through the North East Combined Authority (NECA). To fully demonstrate the efficacy of this approach, a 3-hour seminar will be conducted, providing an introduction to the game-based method and illustrating its potential application in local and regional policy challenges. This initiative aims to foster a thorough understanding of the approach, facilitating informed decision-making and strategic planning in the North East and potentially applying the tool in other topics.