Problems and Purpose:

The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) consists of Newcastle, north Tyneside and Northumberland local authorities, with a population of 816,000 individuals in urban and rural communities combined. Zero carbon and zero poverty targets were launched by the mayor to reduce emissions and promote the local economy by raising awareness of low carbon business opportunities.

Background History and Context:

The assembly believes there is a mounting evidence base as to the increasing impacts of climate change and the shifts in behaviour, culture and practice that will be needed to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst effects of global warming and adapt to those which are now unavoidable. The NTCA has a convening role – enabling conversations between citizens, communities and sectors about the type of economy and society they want in the future, and what can collectively be done to make it happen including creating mechanisms to ensure their work is inclusive and that citizens have a real voice. 

Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities:

The North of Tyne Combined Authority Funded and organised the assembly. The process was designed and facilitated by the social enterprise Shared Future.

Participant Recruitment and Selection:

The selection process for selection was undertaken by the Sortation Foundation, using random stratified sampling.

Assembly were given £300 in vouchers to thank and compensate them for participating.

Methods and Tools Used:

The assembly design and operated independently from NTCA.

 Visual activities were used to engage the assembly members, mixing different forms learning and participation so everyone feels included.

What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation:

The assembly was held in 8 sessions, introducing and providing information about ways the North of Tyne can tackle zero carbon and zero. Due to Covid the assembly was mainly held online (over Zoom).

SESSIONS: [1]

Session 1:  introduction to NTCA – mayor welcomed and introduced the project and highlights the its importance 

Session 2 : Sir Brian Hoskins, Chair of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment, and Dr Elizabeth Lewis, Lecturer in Computational Hydrology, Newcastle University explain what climate change is and talk about its impact now and in the future.

Session 3: highlighting what the local authorities are doing to tackle this issue

Session 4: housing and climate change 

Session 5: transport and climate – highlighting the link between climate change and transport and analysing how change can come. 

Session 6: no session 

Session 7: renewable energy – discussing how renewable energy can benefit us and also highlighting the different types of renewable energies and the cost and effectiveness 

Session 8: closed session [1]

Influence, Outcomes, and Effects:

Most of the assembly's recommendations related to themes of housing, transport and energy and fall into three broad categories[1]:

1. Recommendations that NTCA can implement.
2. Recommendations that require collaboration: NTCA will work closely with the Local Authorities, public sector organisations, local businesses, the voluntary sector, and citizens.
3. Recommendations that involve influencing government: with the authority of the voice of the people NTCA will work to shape the national debate.

NTCA's response to the assembly's recommendations was published on 25 January 2022 [2].

Analysis and Lessons Learned:

See Also:

References:

[1] North of Tyne Citizens' Assembly on Climate Change [online]. available: https://www.northoftyne-ca.gov.uk/projects/citizens-assembly-on-climate-change/ [accessed: 25/04/2022]

[2] North of Tyne Combined Authority, Cabinet, 25 January 2022 [online] https://www.northoftyne-ca.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Agenda-25.01.2022.pdf, p.9-18

External Links:

https://www.sortitionfoundation.org/

https://sharedfuturecic.org.uk/category/climate-change/

Notes: