Maynooth is Kildare County Council’s Decarbonising Zone (DZ). It’s the place where a range of sustainable, ambitious climate measures are tested and implemented to help achieve our national targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030.   These measures are set out in Kildare County Council’s Climate Action Plan 2024 – 2029, Chapter 5 DZ Vision and Mission.

Last year, a 3D virtual reality video was made of what Maynooth Main Street would look like if these measures were introduced. 

‘Gamifying Virtual Maynooth’ builds on this virtual reality video through the creation of an interactive web-based game that challenges the player to make day to day decisions in this future low carbon Maynooth, all the while protecting biodiversity and building a thriving economy. 

In the game, the player progresses through the various stages of life from school child, college student, worker, family and retired.  At each stage they are met with three scenarios and are presented with the option of five different choices that have either positive or negative implications for society, wellbeing, the economy and nature.  The player’s choices are scored on these parameters, and the player is encouraged to take positive choices through information points that populate the screen prior to each scenario. 

The project is expected to be completed and launched by mid-July 2025.

For more information, contact KCC Climate Action at climateactionoffice@kildarecoco.ie 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.