The Jersey Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change was made up of 45 randomly selected Islanders. They took part in 15 virtual meetings between March and May 2021. They considered the question ‘how we should work together to become carbon neutral’.
Problems and Purpose
The citizen's assembly on climate change was made up of 45 randomly selected Islanders. They took part in 15 virtual meetings between March and May. They considered the question 'of how we should work together to become carbon neutral.
Background History and Context
The States Assembly declared a climate emergency in 2019 and agreed it’s likely to have profound effects on Jersey.
In early 2020 the States Assembly approved a Carbon Neutral strategy. This set out a ‘people-powered’ approach, giving Islanders a real say over when and how Jersey should become carbon neutral. The States Assembly called a citizens’ assembly to find out what people like yourself think we should do next. Islanders were asked; how should we work together to become carbon neutral?
Citizens’ assemblies give members of the public the time and opportunity to learn about and discuss a topic and answer specific questions posed.
Participants were given a wide range of information presented to them as evidence from academics, researchers, people with direct experience of the issue, other stakeholders, and campaigners.
As a group, they came up with ideas and considered the costs and implications to help them make their recommendations. These recommendations have been presented to the States Assembly and Government of Jersey and published for everyone to see in early June.
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
Participant Recruitment and Selection
The Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change was made up of 45 randomly selected Islanders.
9,000 households received an invitation in early February 2021. Everyone aged 16 or over living at the address the invite was set to, and who were eligible, could register to take part.
From those who choose to register there was a further random selection process to ensure that the citizens’ assembly was made up of a diverse range of people, from across Jersey, with a diverse range of views on climate change.
Methods and Tools Used
Participants were given a wide range of information presented to them as evidence from academics, researchers, people with direct experience of the issue, other stakeholders, and campaigners.
As a group they came up with ideas and considered the costs and implications to help them make their recommendations. These recommendations have been presented to the States Assembly and Government of Jersey and published for everyone to see in early June
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
The citizen's assembly heard from various experts and others with different views on how Jersey should work together to become carbon neutral. They had a chance to ask questions and engage in debates on these topics.
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
At the end of the sessions, the citizen's assembly produced a set of recommendations as to how and when they believed Jersey should become carbon neutral. In early June 2021 these recommendations will be presented to both the states Assembly- Jersey's elected Parliament and the government, to help inform future policy.
Analysis and Lessons Learned
See Also
References
External Links
https://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Environment%20and%20greener%20living/CNS%20amended%20version%20FINAL.pdf
https://www.climateconversation.je/citizens-assembly/
