What if we stopped thinking in terms of today’s limitations and instead began with a future that does work? In this activity, students step into the year 2040, in which an important sustainability goal has already been achieved. From there, they backcast to the present: which decisions, collaborations, and innovations led to this future vision? This approach stimulates systems thinking, creativity, and strategic insight.
- Activity goal
- Brainstorm | Exchange knowledge | Practice skills | Reflect
- When
- In class
- Where
- Offline
- Duration
- < 60 minutes| > 60 minutes
- Group size
- Small | Medium
- Materials
Paper or Miro/Canva/Powerpoint
Step-by-Step
Step 1
Introduction to backcasting: Explain what backcasting is: a method in which you start from a desired future vision (in this case: a sustainable world in 2040) and look back to determine what was needed to get there.
Step 2
Outline the future vision: The teacher presents a short and inspiring picture of what the Netherlands (or the world) looks like in 2040 after successfully addressing a sustainability challenge, such as:
- “In 2040, nitrogen emissions have been reduced by 80%.”
- “Water use in agriculture has been halved without loss of yield.”
- “All urban mobility is emission-free.”
Optionally, use visuals or storytelling to make the future vision vivid.
Step 3
Backcasting in teams: Students work in groups of 3–5 people. Together they answer:
- What happened between 2025 and 2040 to make this future vision possible?
- Which technologies, behavioral changes, policy measures, or collaborations were implemented?
- Which milestones (years) took place?
Have students visualize this (e.g., on a timeline, as a comic strip, infographic, or flowchart).
Step 4
Present the ‘path to 2040’: Each team briefly presents their route to 2040. Let other students ask questions or suggest alternative scenarios.
Step 5
Reflection: Facilitate a reflection in groups, pairs, or plenary, for example using the following questions:
- What stood out in each other’s routes?
- Which steps felt realistic? Which less so?
- What does this say about how we currently think about change and sustainability?
Variation 1
Let students create their own 2040: Instead of a fixed future vision, have students choose an ambitious but credible goal themselves. Provide certain boundaries or guidelines if needed.
Variation 2
You can also have students take on roles and backcast from their assigned role, as explained in the activity Backcasting role play.
Let students develop their future vision and timeline digitally via Canva or Miro.
Large sheets of paper or digital tools (such as Miro, Canva, or PowerPoint)
(Optional) materials for visualization: pens, markers, post-its
Consider the tools and materials mentioned here as suggestions. In many cases it’s possible to use alternative tools. Please turn to the Learning & Innovation team of your faculty first to see which online and offline tools are available and how to apply them.
Always use (generative) AI tools that are GDPR-compliant. Refer to the usage guidelines for Generative AI and the theme page about AI in education as well.
