Brighton & Hove climate assembly

We brought together a group of people to learn about climate issues and make recommendations about how things should change.

What the climate assembly was

The climate assembly brought together a representative group of the Brighton & Hove population to explore how we combat climate change over the next decade.

It was designed and facilitated by Ipsos MORI, which is independent of us. They're experienced in delivering deliberative engagement processes like citizens' assemblies.

When it took place

We held the climate assembly in the autumn of 2020. Following advice from the UK government in managing Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to protect the health and wellbeing of all the participants, we decided to hold the climate assembly online.

The climate assembly took place over 5 sessions.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to shaping the climate assembly and for your support during this difficult time.

How it worked

Brighton & Hove’s climate assembly brought together a randomly selected group of people to:

  • learn about climate issues and discuss them
  • make recommendations about what should happen and how things should change

Around 50 residents took part. They were selected at random to be members of the climate assembly.

The Sortition Foundation carried out the recruitment process. This organisation has expertise in ensuring that a cross-section of the population is represented in citizen assemblies.

What it was about

The climate assembly looked at transport as it is one of the city’s biggest sources of carbon emissions. The sessions focussed on the question: How can we step up actions to reduce transport-related emissions in the city?

Over the 5 sessions, the climate assembly members heard evidence, deliberated and developed recommendations for actions the council and wider city can take to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Sessions included presentations and workshops.

The residents at the assembly:

  • had the opportunity to hear from engaging expert speakers
  • discussed the issues involved with facilitators, who made sure everyone had their voices heard

The first session:

  • provided an introduction to transport in the city
  • discussed how we're proposing to reduce carbon emissions by 2030

It asked participants about the biggest climate change challenges for them.

Climate Assembly Advisory Board

An independent advisory board of 15 volunteer experts and activists supported the climate assembly.

Together with the council, they ensured a diverse selection of speakers presented information to the assembly. These included policy experts, campaigners and local stakeholders.

The council made the final decision based on the advisory board's suggestions and recommendations.

Youth climate assembly

Young people in the city set up a youth climate assembly to mirror the main climate assembly on transport. This included: 

  • people aged 13 to 19

  • people aged up to 25 with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities)

  • care leavers

Learn more about what the youth climate assembly did and their recommendations