Creating Lincoln’s climate assembly process, #ClimateHopeLincoln to inform local climate policy
(Cathartic) thoughts of an academic, community changemaker and policy professional…
Whilst we had no initial prescriptive plans in how to deliver the entire assembly process, we decided that this process should be as organic and community led as possible, given our main aim was about connecting people and building a climate network for Lincoln. Our first decision, which might seem trivial to some, but was important in inspiring individuals and communities to act, was what we should call the climate assembly process? Given all the doom and gloom we have been witnessing regarding current experienced climate impacts, like last year’s unprecedented heat waves, and expected future climate impacts signposted through the most recent Sixth IPCC Assessment Summary for Policymaker Reports, we wanted to send a positive message out to our communities over the need for more inclusive climate action, so we aptly called Lincoln’s climate assembly process, #ClimateHopeLincoln.
Out first meeting in early February brought together different stakeholders from across the Lincoln city-region. It was decided that the assembly process would not just consist of a citizen jury type event but loads of different mini events inspired by local climate activism. Our intention was to work towards a common goal around inclusive and equitable place-based climate governance, in the hope that citizens and communities could connect more with policymaking on climate change in the city. So how have we faired? The main researchers on this Policy Hub grant come from different professional backgrounds but are united by the common goal of inspiring place-based climate action. So, what follows here are an academic’s (Andrew), community action expert’s (Charlotte) and policy expert’s (Kate) thoughts on the progress of #ClimateHopeLincoln so far, particularly in terms of linking climate action with policy.
Andrew, the academic
#ClimateHopeLincoln, through its series of events from February to July this year, has started to reinvent – but also problematise – place-based climate governance across the city through its facilitation of various community groups as key interlocutors within its climate assembly process.
From the onset of the assembly process, I was rather naïve about this task. I thought everyone would come together through our events, start to speak the same language, and begin to influence local climate policy in the ways that communities should, fulfilling the criteria for Lincoln Policy Hub funding. This has not happened in the way I expected though.
#ClimateHopeLincoln has revealed the deeply embedded local politics in climate assembly processes. Some academic colleagues have recently argued how the local climate assembly “narrative smooths over and presents as linear a process that is in fact messy and political.” I couldn’t agree more in the case of Lincoln. Our assembly process has highlighted just how disconnected from one another citizens and communities actually are, even though we are all working towards a common goal of place-based climate action.
The assembly process so far has not only highlighted the deeply embedded, variegated politics of its participants and the lack of convergence of ideas into a more holistic city agenda on climate governance, it has serendipitously highlighted some of the communication inadequacies of the Lincoln Climate Commission. Many local citizens, communities and key public and private sector stakeholders have not heard of the Lincoln Climate Commission, despite its existence for four years.
My particular thoughts may be perceived by those reading this blog as being very critical about Lincoln’s local climate governance journey in recent years, but this is not my intention. Our climate assembly process has been contradictory. I want to end my thoughts with hope and say that #ClimateHopeLincoln has actually been successful in bringing disparate groups together within a forum to discuss place-based climate action. Yet it has starkly illustrated our failings and the work that still needs to be undertaken by the Lincoln Climate Commission in facilitating greater citizen influence in local climate policymaking. Place-based climate action isn’t arrived at using a magic wand. It isn’t a process with an end goal and there is no one formula for making it a success in contributing to more effective local climate policy. It is an iterative process that exposes the messiness of local climate governance and many of our own inner failings as climate practitioners, regardless of whether we work in the private, public or third sector.
Charlotte, the community changemaker
Sometimes we forget that true collaboration is messy. There is often confusion between engagement and consultation – which are two different things. There is space for both in our world of policymaking and governance – as long as we are honest about which one is intended and prepared for what may follow.
You need to be prepared to embrace alternative views, take time to listen to (and actually hear) opinion, create a safe environment for everyone, identify advocates at multiple levels, get ready to hand over control and build individual leadership capacity from within. Only then can we learn, mobilise and work through differences, turning ideas into action.
As someone supporting this process you have to meet people where they are – which is ultimately different for everyone at any one time.
For #ClimateHopeLincoln we went right back to basics and gave licence to our communities to inform us of what they wanted and did not shy away from their (human) question “What’s in it for me?” We tried to respond positively with something more direct and personal than, “you will help save our planet” or “your house will be under water if you don’t”.
So, my biggest reflections are around the need for positive, inclusive engagement. Using a range of events, approaches, organisations, platforms and incentives we have reached people that we would not have done previously – even if only for a brief moment on a busy Saturday high street. We have felt the energy in the room when people come together and witnessed the growing hunger for transformational change. We have not disrupted people’s lives, dismissed people’s understanding or circumstances and spent time listening without judgement which has built trust, removed some structural barriers and enabled new connections.
The challenge will be turning what we have learnt, and are learning, into collective action and changes in our own behaviours, while continuously extending engagement to hear the unheard voices of Lincoln, to unite and empower our communities for a future with so many unknowns, and to connect all local stakeholders for more inclusive climate policymaking.
Kate, the climate policy professional
When developing local climate policy, it is easy to focus on broad climate challenges and identify various relevant technical, strategic or infrastructure solutions required over the short medium and long term. However, this approach on its own will inevitably fail to deliver the rapid (in local/central Government terms) and necessary transition to achieve net zero and for the UK to reduce Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions within the global carbon budgets the UK signed up to as part of the Paris Agreement.
To achieve a whole system approach to addressing climate resilience and mitigation it is essential that the whole community are involved in the transition. This forces local government to review our approach to community consultation with our residents, businesses, community organisations when preparing local climate policies.
#ClimateHopeLincoln brought together a wide group of community activists across a range of competing environmental priorities. Where there was consensus on addressing climate resilience and achieving net zero, we sought through collaboration to achieve joint working, aiming to reach a wider, more diverse audience and pool resources to maximise our outcomes/outputs.
The positive outcomes of #ClimateHopeLincoln was the extent to which residents and organisations came together to address the challenges and we now have a much larger pool of local changemakers to design, plan and develop wider community activity and work with to influence local policy and decision-making.
The challenges identified as part of this process was the continued difficulty reaching out to those typically underrepresented communities. This was particularly challenging as part of the Doughnut Economics event where attendees were invited to decide on our priorities and suggest ideas for further action. Whilst reviewing some of the suggestions it was very apparent that they reflected an affluent, middle-class perspective. The danger of developing and delivering policy based on a small sector of society is the possible unintended, negative consequences on vulnerable, less affluent sectors of our community.
Therefore, it is necessary to continue working with engaged individuals, groups and organisation whilst striving to explore opportunities to maximise input from a broader and more representative community.
We have each conveyed our own (cathartic) thoughts on the progress of #ClimateHopeLincoln so far. These thoughts are united by two needs with respect to linking climate action with policy – the need for inclusivity and capacity in climate policymaking. So, with the above in mind, the following bullet points outline the next stage of the Lincoln’s climate assembly, which will seek to address:
- How do we make climate action NOT just for the affluent?
- How do we mobilise and empower independent, connected climate action?
- How do we shift away from the traditional power dynamics to accelerate transformative policy change?
- How do we distribute resources and opportunities away from the ‘usual suspects’?
- How do we connect with communities that have generational mistrust in authority?
- How do we cultivate a united movement for everyone to play their part in our sustainable future?
More Information:
Charlotte Brooks (LocalMotion, Lincoln) (CI)
Kate Bell (Lincoln City Council) (CI)