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 are 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 the shaping of 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, discuss them with one another, and 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 recruitment process was carried out by the Sortition Foundation. This organisation has expertise in ensuring that a cross-section of the population is represented on 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 on the assembly had the opportunity to hear from engaging expert speakers and discussed the issues involved with facilitators, who made sure everyone had their voice heard.
The first session provided an introduction to transport in the city and how the council is 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 made sure there was a diverse selection of speakers to present information to the assembly. These included policy experts, campaigners and local stakeholders.
The council had the final decision on suggestions and recommendations made by the advisory board.
Youth climate assembly
Young people in the city set up a youth climate assembly for people aged 13 to 19 (up to 25 with SEND – special educational needs and disabilities) and care leavers to mirror the main climate assembly on transport.
Find out more about what the youth climate assembly did and their recommendations