A short thread outlining my headline thoughts/experience on citizens' assemblies as a means for exploring the scope and scale of potential climate policies. #CitizensAssembly @ScotClimateCA @Profiainstewart @Daisynmurphy @keelingcurve @KA_Nicholas @lwhitmarsh @jillian_anable

1/With govts &many official institutions failing to implement policies to cut carbon in line with their fair contribution to the Paris 1.5-2°C commitments, citizens’ (climate) assemblies have a potentially key role in exploring what is necessary rather than politically expedient.

2/ Core to this is setting an open question & not one designed to constrain suggestions to fit with existing government policy. On this the Scottish assembly
@ScotClimateCA stands head & shoulders above the more Westminster-focussed & highly constrained UK assembly
@NetZeroUK

3/ @ScotClimateCA was asked “How should Scotland change to tackle the climate emergency in an effective & fair way? In stark contrast @NetZeroUK was asked “What should the UK do to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050?” ie. What polices meet Govt's existing climate agenda?

4/ The importance of this distinction can't be exaggerated. Whilst Scottish members are free to define a climate emergency, what’s fair, etc, UK members were subtly shackled to the UK Govt’s existing 2050 net-zero framing; one many judge is unfair & far from a climate emergency.

5/Although an open question is essential if climate assemblies are not to simply rubber stamp existing policies, so is the breadth, robustness & clarity of the evidence the members receive. Achieving such a balance is v.challenging & demands a lot of those organising the process.