Players can also gain achievement and rewards from just playing the game. For example, voting for the Tycoons' CEO Skylar Banes will increase productivity of manufacturing buildings. Participation will give different effects to all players, depending on who is president or what bill was passed, until the next cycle of voting begins. Players can also vote for a World President and vote in Senate Council. All humankind rally under one global government where the three main factions of the game control the world's decisions. In Anno 2070, politics are no longer defined by countries, boundaries, religions, races, etc., but how humans choose to produce energy. Current Events change daily, unlike World Events, which can be around for several months. There are also "Current Events", where a player can complete a particular quest for one of the three factions to gain rewards.
Ecos are environmental and build sustainable cities, but are inefficient and slow to expand. The game has three factions: The Eden Initiative (referred to as the "Ecos"), The Global Trust (referred to as the "Tycoons"), and the S.A.A.T.
Global warming has melted the Arctic ice cap, which has raised the global sea level so high that what used to be mountains are all that remains of land.