Umi Sayidatus Zakiya, Sjaeful Anwar, Irma Rahma Suwarma, Ulfiyani
Growing concerns over climate change have intensified the demand for novel and effective strategies in the delivery of sustainability education. Educational applications (apps) have emerged as powerful tools for promoting low-carbon awareness, enhancing engagement, and fostering behavioral change among students. This paper explores the role of educational apps in low-carbon education, analyzing key trends and future directions. Using a state-of-the-art review methodology, this study examines recent literature (2019–2023) on the integration of digital tools, such as gamification, artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), and mobile learning, into sustainability education. The findings highlight that gamified learning (e.g., CarbonFree and Carbon Warrior apps) effectively increases student motivation and knowledge retention. AI-powered systems and data-driven platforms personalize learning experiences and track students’ sustainability engagement. VR/AR applications create immersive environmental education experiences, enhancing practical understanding of climate change and carbon footprint reduction. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, including accessibility, curriculum integration, and digital literacy gaps. This research highlights the importance of joint efforts between educators, policymakers, and technology developers to enhance the effectiveness of EdTech in sustainability education. The results add to the broader conversation on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and offer practical guidance on utilizing educational applications to prepare future generations with the competencies needed for low-carbon living. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2026.
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
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