The Climate Democracy Model developed by us at Democratic Society (Demsoc) is an innovation for climate action at a local level. The Model is our holistic response to gaps we see in pan-European efforts to ensure climate action is taken in ways that reinforce democracy.
This model takes a systems approach to pathways towards climate resilience, making explicit the relationship between design, power and social justice, and where inequity and citizen disempowerment weaken governance and climate resilience.
Our Model aims to foster higher quality democracies and more participatory approaches by sparking conversations with public sector leaders, civil society and communities on more just, inclusive, community-led approaches. It seeks to shift ‘climate innovation’ away from a tech focus, influence governance and policy, and help cities think about what ‘scaling up’ for more durable, longer term change takes.
It is positively framed around four categories of ‘conditions’ we see for climate resilience:
- diversity of actors
- participatory culture
- resourcing
- subject-matter expertise
The Model is developed through our partnership in EIT Climate-KIC for achieving carbon neutrality, which runs across more than 10 EU cities.
By including different community members (experts across sectors, civil society organisations), we aim to shift the conversation to longer term debates and discussions beyond a project cycle approach. In this way, our model can incorporate a shift to more democratic processes and decision-making on climate action.
Democratic Society is European international democracy organisation, supporting our cities and residents to ensure that radical climate transformation is a democratic not just a technocratic process. Through democratic design, organisational development and practical participation exercises, they are building long-term resident participation in all the decisions, plans and projects that affect them.
Twitter: @demsoc
Website: www.demsoc.org
