Public Participation

The right to public participation in decision-making is specifically recognized in the context of environmental issues, including climate change. For example, the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, and the Aarhus Convention affirm that the best environmental decisions are made when civil society participates.

The UNFCCC provides that Parties must promote and facilitate public participation in addressing climate change and its effects and developing adequate responses. It further states that Parties must encourage the widest participation in the negotiation process, and that access and participation of observers in the process promotes transparency in this increasingly complex, universal problem. Meaningful and effective public participation in relevant negotiating processes helps to promote wide public support and ensure the legitimacy of financial institutions and their policies.

Briefing Notes

Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Promoting Public Participation in Climate Policies: Key Entry Points at the COP-25 and beyond (2019) 

Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Promoting Public Participation in Climate Policies: Key Entry Points in the Agendas of the SBI-50 and SBSTA-50 (2019)

Submissions

Climate Action Network (CAN), Review of the Doha Work Programme and the Future Work on Action for Climate Empowerment (2020)

Climate Action Network (CAN), Submission on the Dialogue on Action for Climate Empowerment scheduled in conjunction with SB 48 (2018)

Climate Action Network (CAN), Submission on the Workshop on Action for Climate Empowerment scheduled in conjunction with SB 48 (2018)