Policy Brief
Citizen Engagement in Environmental Policy: Policy Recommendations from EU-wide citizens’ forums
The climate crisis is deepening, yet dominant solutions—shaped by those in power—continue to sideline the communities most affected. A new policy brief by [Your Organization] calls for a shift in approach: one that redistributes power, centers frontline voices, and addresses the root causes of environmental and social injustices.
Women, gender-diverse people, and marginalized communities bear the brunt of climate change but remain excluded from decision-making. Current policies often reinforce existing inequalities rather than dismantling them. True climate action demands structural change—not just technical fixes.
This brief examines three European Citizens’ Forums designed to enhance public participation in environmental governance, including deliberations on the future of the European Green Deal and the Feminist Festival. It explores their methodologies, engagement strategies, and outcomes, offering recommendations to strengthen democratic processes and citizen involvement in EU policymaking.
Key takeaways
- Power redistribution: Climate policies must move beyond representation and actively shift decision-making power to those at the frontline.
- Feminist solutions: Tackling the climate crisis means addressing the economic and social systems that drive it, including extractivism and neocolonialism.
- Beyond Green Growth: The brief challenges the idea that economic growth and sustainability can coexist without deep systemic change.
Moving forward
To make climate action truly just, we must rethink who holds power and how decisions are made. This brief offers concrete recommendations for policymakers, funders, and activists to ensure climate solutions are driven by those most impacted.
