Local Citizens’ Assemblies on Climate and Energy
Inspiring examples and takeaways from on-the-ground experiences of climate assemblies
Local governance
Since their inception in the 1970s, citizens’ assemblies have emerged as a transformative approach to policy-making, offering a platform for meaningful public participation. This globally recognised consultative format allows citizens to deliberate and decide on complex societal issues when provided with sufficient time, balanced information, expert guidance, and a well-structured process. The result? Informed, fair decisions made in the public interest.
Addressing Challenges and Polarisation
Citizens’ assemblies are particularly suited to addressing long-standing issues that often stall political progress or polarise populations. By offering a fair and inclusive process where individuals are randomly selected to submit proposals, these assemblies ensure diverse representation. Climate-related citizens’ assemblies, in particular, have gained traction worldwide, operating at national, regional, and city levels to tackle urgent environmental challenges.
Benefits and Challenges
The direct involvement of citizens fosters a sense of ownership and trust in institutions, enhancing democratic participation and ensuring that everyone has a voice in shaping their community’s future. However, the process is not without challenges. Organising these assemblies requires substantial resources, rigorous planning, and political commitment.
From the experiences that we’ve observed within the Energy Cities’ network, we have seen hurdles such as insufficient political backing, communication gaps, limited public awareness, and difficulties maintaining long-term engagement. Ensuring public visibility and trust in the assembly’s outcomes remains vital for sustained success.
Lessons from Case Studies
This series of factsheets documents various examples of citizens’ assemblies on climate and energy across Energy Cities’ members, including Grenoble (more on their assembly here), Stuttgart, Bordeaux, and Brussels, as well as non-member examples from Bologna, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and Gipuzkoa province.
These case studies showcase the flexibility of citizens’ assemblies, with configurations tailored to local needs. Despite differences in approach, a common thread is their effectiveness in building consensus and fostering periodic public involvement. From classic citizens’ assemblies, to assemblies for civil servants or for enterprises, the diversity of examples give us good insights into the operation, benefits and challenges of such an exercise.
