Citizens' assembly to provide input into areas the council should focus on regarding climate change.
Problems and Purpose
In response to the effects of climate change, a group of citizens from 10 neighborhood councils gathered together to make recommendations to the Salvador municipality about priority areas in the Municipal Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Plan (PMAMC). [1]
Participants were asked to respond to the question, "Which short-term actions from the Salvador Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Plan (PMAMC) should be prioritized for the execution of the municipal budget in the 2022-2025 four-year period, [considering] the current Multi-Year Plan as a reference?" (The Multi-Year Plan provides guidance on budgeting and allocation). [2]
Background History and Context
Climate change is a pressing issue that impacts groups of people and populations differently, with those in poorer communities experiencing more extensive negative impacts. Brazil has committed to reducing emissions to two levels in the coming years in response to climate change: reduce emissions by 37% by 2025 and 43% by 2030. [3]
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
Delibera organised and facilitated the citizens' assembly.
ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability, the Parliament School of Sao Paulo City Council and Zero Cem Institute) also supported the initiative. The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) also supplied funds for the events. [4]
Participant Recruitment and Selection
40 participants took part in the climate assembly. They were selected using random stratified sampling from the 10 neighborhoods in Salvador.
Methods and Tools Used
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
Participation involved handouts, Q and As with experts and representatives from council, considering possible scenarios and how to respond to them, and small group deliberation. [5]
Deliberations took place in six meetings over five Saturdays and one Tuesday in November and December 2022. [6]
Participants continued to monitor the outcomes of the citizens' assembly including having an active WhatsApp group where they keep watch and discuss progress. [7]
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
One of the key recommendations from the deliberations were to prioritize actions that save lives and mitigate any problems areas that are risky because of climate change to protect populations in these vulnerable spaces. [8]
The outcomes of the assembly were incorporated into the Municipal Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Plan (PMAMC), which was intended to be the basis for a bill by City Council. [9]
The Recommendations Report was presented to Council on 20 March 2023. [10]
Analysis and Lessons Learned
See Also
References
[1] delibera (n.d.) Salvador No Clima. Accessed at: https://salvadornoclima.com.br/
[2] Ibid.
[3] Assembleia Cidada Do Clima De Salvador (2023) Relatório de Recomendações Assembleia do Clima de Salvador (Recommendations Report). Accessed: https://salvadornoclima.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Relatorio-de-Recomendacoes-Assembleia-do-Clima-de-Salvador.pdf
[4] Correio (March 20, 2023) Moradores de Salvador entregam recomendações à Câmara e à Prefeitura. Accessed: https://www.correio24horas.com.br/salvador/moradores-de-salvador-entregam-recomendacoes-a-camara-e-a-prefeitura-0323
[5] delibera (n.d.) Salvador No Clima. Accessed at: https://salvadornoclima.com.br/
[6] Assembleia Cidada Do Clima De Salvador (2023) Relatório de Recomendações Assembleia do Clima de Salvador (Recommendations Report). Accessed: https://salvadornoclima.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Relatorio-de-Recomendacoes-Assembleia-do-Clima-de-Salvador.pdf
[7] Correio (March 20, 2023) Moradores de Salvador entregam recomendações à Câmara e à Prefeitura. Accessed: https://www.correio24horas.com.br/salvador/moradores-de-salvador-entregam-recomendacoes-a-camara-e-a-prefeitura-0323
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Redacao D (2023) Assembleia Cidadã do Clima entrega recomendações à Câmara de Salvador. A Tarde. Accessed: https://atarde.com.br/bahia/bahiasalvador/assembleia-cidada-do-clima-entrega-recomendacoes-a-camara-de-salvador-1223092