Local citizen's assembly on climate change undertaken between January and February 2020.
Problems and Purpose
Croydon Council launched Croydon Citizens Assembly on Climate Change in July 2019. The assembly was declared in response to the climate emergency, to identify the actions that must be taken to contribute to the Council’s vision in making Croydon the “greenest and most sustainable borough in London”[1].
Background History and Context
Once the emergency was declared, a representative group of 42 people were recruited, forming the Citizens’ Assembly. The sustainable Croydon Summit itself took place in June 2019, resulting in the formation of the Climate Crisis Commission that then prescribed long-term aims. These aims contributed to achieving the goal of greater sustainability in Croydon.
They key issues discussed in the Citizens Assembly included:
1) How residents would like to see their town develop in a sustainable way.
2) The role that residents and communities can play in achieving this.
3) The challenges, barriers to, and also opportunities for change.
4) The propensity of residents to take action.
5) What residents want to see from the Council and other partners.
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The Campaign Company (TCC), a research and engagement company located in Croydon, was commissioned to recruit participants, monitor and facilitate the sessions of the Croydon Citizens Assembly on Climate Change.
The Citizens’ Assembly was organized to discuss a range of priority challenges, including transport, air quality and the improvement of energy efficiency. To achieve this, the Croydon Council sought partnership with businesses and public bodies including the NHS, promoting sustainability which is a mutual goal.
Croydon Council partnered with the News Economics Foundation (NEF) to set up the Climate Crisis Commission to represent independent, organized communities in Croydon.
The Citizens’ Assembly also collaborated with a Green Champion to raise awareness and promote engagement with the Assembly process. The Green Champion played the role of an independent yet constant liaison between the residents of Croydon and the Council. It provided consultation and secure council subsidies for the residents to implement the ‘green initiatives’. This includes financial support for loft insulation, and give away of free biodegradable bags.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
TCC was responsible for the recruitment process. The assembly members were selected to be generally representative of the borough by four characteristics: age, gender, ethnicity and geography. To ensure the assembly members represented the diversity of the population of Croydon the recruitment campaign targeted traditionally lesser-heard groups of people.
Methods and Tools Used
The strategy of the Croydon Assembly was to inform, involve and inspire the people of Croydon to participate in change. Through a deliberative approach, assembly members met to hear evidence from expert witnesses and discuss the options to reduce carbon emissions in the borough.
The methodology prioritized the interaction and participation of the individual assembly members, focusing on participants having a valuable experience. Assembly members were encouraged to bring and voice their life experience, to provide a broad overview of the variety of circumstances faced by the residents, so that “the entire spectrum of awareness of climate change was present”[2].
At the end of the assembly a position statement from the assembly members was produced as a way to conclude the outcomes.
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
The Assembly was divided into 3 sessions undertaken between 22 January and 20 February 2020.
Session 1: 22 January 2020
This session, titled ‘What climate change means for people in Croydon’, focused on citizens’ views on air quality, transport, improving energy efficiency, and educating and engaging the public. Initially, the members gave presentations on each topic followed by table discussions where they were asked ‘What do you think?’ and ‘What does this mean for you?’. this was designed to encourage the members to share their views on the climate crisis and challenges it poses, and how it impacts them whether on a personal or collectively.
Session 2: 6 February 2020
This session focused on problem-solving. It began with presentations from individuals, communities, the Council and council partners on how to reduce carbon emissions, and promote with residents. Assembly members then discussed ways in which the climate change can be tackled by making presentations and addressing any questions asked.
Session 3: 20 February 2020
In the final session, titled ‘Taking action to tackle climate change’, the assembly members discussed and agreed on the outcomes of the Assembly. A position statement was produced reflecting the deliberations and decisions of the assembly members.
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
A position statement was created that reflected the outcome of the assembly’s deliberations and was agreed by all members. There were 22 points that summed up the general views and actions that shall take place to improve the climate crisis situation in Croydon. This covered areas such as commissioning, improving public transport, lobbying for more action, promoting education and awareness about the climate crisis.
Croydon’s transport infrastructure is known to be ‘an asset’ of the borough, so the members decided to make ‘tackling transport and improving air quality in communities’ one of the goals. There were then incentives provided that underpin the goals that the Assembly aimed to achieve. This included:
1- More and safer cycling lanes
2- Encouraging car-pooling and car-sharing
3- Pedestrianisation of areas
4- Clean air zones (around schools)
5- Extending tram system
6- Making public transport more affordable
7- A better infrastructure to support electric vehicles
Analysis and Lessons Learned
See Also
References
[1] The Campaign Company, 2020, A report of the work of the Croydon Citizens’ Assembly
on Climate Change. The Campaign Company. p. 8, https://democracy.croydon.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=22183 .
[2] The Campaign Company, 2020, A report of the work of the Croydon Citizens’ Assembly
on Climate Change. The Campaign Company. p. 33, https://democracy.croydon.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=22183 .