Participatory Climate Action

Reflections on Community Diversity and the Role of External Experts

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22018471
AutoresConnor Smith (0000-0003-2187-1262, University of Edinburgh), Finlay Bain-Kerr (0009-0007-7015-7037, University of Strathclyde), Dan Van Der Horst (0000-0002-9454-9664, University of Edinburgh)
Año2024
Volumen9
Fecha de publicación2024-07-17
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaUrban Planning (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2183-7635 • E-ISSN: 2183-7635
EditorialCogitatio (PUBLISHER • PT)
DOI10.17645/up.8182
OpenAlexW4400737016
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas40

Academics have often contributed to designing, running, and evaluating participatory events with publics on climate action. Whilst climate assemblies are perhaps the most well-known of such events, there is also a proliferation of smaller and more local projects suggesting scope for reflection on the role of academic researchers in this evolving space. We deploy an experimental methodology that blends personal reflections with group discussion amongst the authors to help unpack the lessons learned from a project led by the local council, where we facilitated the involvement of local people in decision-making around climate action. Reflecting on our individual and academic positionalities, we question the extent to which we are well placed to build, maintain, and sustain trust, which requires spending time in place, continuity, and ceding power. As “outsiders” with “elite connotations,” our role as actors in this space is open for discussion. Indeed, our involvement could be perceived as a missed opportunity to retain more money and knowledge locally by ceding more responsibility to grassroots organisations. Our experience also suggests that framing public participation in terms of design and facilitation deficit is somewhat misleading. It is not just a process that needs to be attuned to diverse communities, but an ongoing relationship that needs certain enabling conditions to flourish, including conducive funding frameworks and a willingness to address incumbent power differentials between state and non-state actors

Citizen journalism · Elite · Geography · Grassroots · Participatory action research · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance