Climate Citizens’ Assemblies are gaining momentum throughout Europe. Following pioneers Ireland (2016), France (2019) and the United Kingdom (2020), a growing number of European countries are currently taking steps to put citizens at the centre of their climate policymaking. These earlier practices, however, have not always been able to reach their full potential, due to political cherry-picking or a lack of follow-up. In order for Climate Citizens’ Assemblies to truly contribute to adequate climate policy and increase trust between politicians and citizens, they must be defined and positioned carefully. Which mandate do these assemblies hold? What political consequences are connected to its outcomes? And how can be prevented that Climate Citizens’ Assemblies are turned into glorified public hearing?
About the project
This is the third LIVECAST of a series connected to the international research project “Climate Citizens’ Assemblies: learning with, from and for Europe”. From April – September 2021, Pakhuis de Zwijger and Bureau Burgerberaad join forces to investigate how Citizens’ Assemblies can help us strengthen democracy and fight climate change.
Through the development of an online knowledge platform, and by bringing different keyplayers from Europe together in LIVECAST sessions, the project aims to exchange knowledge and best practices, enhance collective learning and develop guidelines for impactful and just implementation of Climate Citizens’ Assemblies in Europe. With as overall goal: to contribute to effective, sustainable and just climate policies and a 21st century proof democracy in Europe.
