En-ROADS is an interactive climate policy simulator developed by Climate Interactive, MIT Sloan, and Ventana Systems that translates complex climate science into experiential learning tools for policymakers, educators, and the public. The platform enables users to adjust dozens of climate policies—including carbon pricing, renewable energy targets, agricultural practices, and tech innovation—and observe real-time impacts on energy costs, temperature, air quality, and other outcomes. Based on system dynamics modeling grounded in peer-reviewed climate science, En-ROADS has been used by over 368,000 people in 167 countries, including 130+ members of the U.S. Congress, to understand climate policy tradeoffs and co-benefits. The simulator's accessibility makes climate science tangible and empowers non-expert stakeholders to engage with climate policy design.
En-ROADS succeeds because it bridges the gap between scientific models and human understanding. By providing immediate, visually intuitive feedback on policy impacts, the platform helps users develop mental models of climate systems and policy effectiveness. Workshop facilitators use En-ROADS to foster evidence-based dialogue about climate solutions, shifting conversations from ideology to outcomes. The platform's emphasis on transparency in modeling assumptions and its willingness to update based on latest climate science builds trust with diverse audiences.