Citizens’ assemblies bring the shared wisdom of ordinary people into political decision-making. How might they help us address the climate crisis? The transition to net zero and climate resilient societies requires deep social and economic transformations that will have significant effects on citizens’ lives. Such a transition needs to engage the public directly. Climate assemblies show us how this can be done.

This book explains the variety of climate assemblies that have taken place so far at local, national and international levels and explains why they have captured the imagination of government and activists alike. It examines the different contexts and designs of climate assemblies and assesses their impact. Drawing lessons from current practice, the book demonstrates how assemblies can take us beyond the shortcomings of electoral and partisan politics and how they can have a real and lasting impact on climate policy and politics.

Reviews
"Full of penetrating analysis and inspiring examples, this book shows that there is another - and better - way of doing politics." — Dr Roman Krznaric, author of The Good Ancestor: How to Think Long Term in a Short-Term World

"An authoritative and practical guide to one of the most promising democratic innovations for redressing the power imbalances in climate policymaking." — Laurence Tubiana, CEO, European Climate Foundation

"If like me you can't understand how 'democracy' is driving us towards climate collapse, you need to read this book and find out what we could do instead." — Clare Farrell, Co-Founder of Extinction Rebellion

"Let us heed Professor Smith's advice before the clock stops ticking." — Professor John Gastil, Penn State University

"Citizen assemblies on the climate may save our lives. This careful, up to the moment analysis tells us what is going on. If you have, or want to have, anything to do with citizen assemblies, buy this book, read it, and keep it close at hand. It's essential." — Professor Jane Mansbridge, Harvard University