Bottom-up approach

The participation of Fridays For Future in the climate emergency declaration in the University of Salamanca

Bibliographic Data

ID21720546
AuthorsPaula Mariel Reyes-Carrasco (0000-0003-1830-7839, Universidad de Salamanca), Enzo Ferrari (0000-0002-4533-021X, Universidad de Salamanca), Camilo Ruiz (0000-0001-9538-5780, Universidad de Salamanca), Camilo Ruíz Méndez, Angela Barrón Ruíz (0000-0002-1279-4421, Universidad de Salamanca)
Year2023
Volume24
Issue4
Pages948-968
Publication date2023-03-15
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1467-6370 • E-ISSN: 1758-6739
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/ijshe-09-2021-0380
OpenAlexW4311220713
LanguageEN
References cited24

Purpose This study aims to describe the process leading the climate emergency declaration (CED) at the University of Salamanca. In contrast to similar initiatives, this was achieved with the participation of students on the social movement Fridays For Future Salamanca. Design/methodology/approach The context of the CED is described. Statements in Spanish universities are used for comparison and internal reports and evaluations were analyzed to measure the progress. Testimonies from the proponents of the declaration and from the agents implementing actions were classified to describe the roles and dynamics involved in the participatory process. Twitter and newspapers are also used to complete the data triangulation. Findings The results show that Climate Emergency has been enriched by a bottom-up approach, generating challenges and opportunities to take into account when considering community participation. A university that aspires to be a role model for a low-carbon future needs to address how to construct efficient participatory mechanisms. In that matter, the authors propose their experience that might be useful for other institutions. Originality/value The CED is a common practice in universities but it is not always associated with specific actions and policies. In this case, the main feature is the students participation, in particular the social movement Fridays For Future

Citizen journalism · Declaration · Geography · Originality · Political science · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Computer Science · Environmental Education and Sustainability · Law · Sustainability in Higher Education

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