Promoting Public Participation in Climate Policies

The document argues that public participation is essential for the effective implementation of climate action, citing IPCC findings that stakeholder engagement increases the likelihood of success. It outlines specific entry points for enhancing procedural rights within the Paris Agreement's framework, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Adaptation Communications, the Transparency Framework, the Global Stocktake, and Article 6 mechanisms. It also emphasizes the need for an independent grievance redress mechanism for the Sustainable Development Mechanism and the operationalization of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform to ensure indigenous voices are reflected in the UNFCCC process.

• Public participation and access to information are critical for the success of climate policies, as engaging communities, indigenous peoples, and civil society increases public support, ambition, and the resilience of mitigation and adaptation actions.
• The IPCC Special Report on 1.5ºC indicates that discussing climate action plans with stakeholders, including minorities, increases the probability of success, and that transformational adaptation requires promoting equity and participation in decision-making.
• To ensure Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are truly 'nationally determined', the document suggests that guidance on information for clarity, transparency and understanding (ICTU) should include details on stakeholder consultations and the participation of local communities and indigenous peoples.
• The document recommends that Adaptation Communications include information on community-based adaptation and the involvement of local communities to align with Article 7.5 of the Paris Agreement, which mandates a participatory and gender-responsive approach.
• The Transparency Framework and Global Stocktake (GST) should be designed to allow civil society and observer organizations to provide input and participate actively in reporting and review processes.
• The Sustainable Development Mechanism (SDM) under Article 6.4 must avoid the shortcomings of the Clean Development Mechanism, where a lack of guidance led to projects being implemented without meaningful consultation or avenues for redress.
• For the Article 6.4 grievance redress mechanism to be effective, it must be characterized as independent, rights-based, accessible, equitable, transparent, legitimate, and efficient.
• The Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform should be operationalized based on principles of equal status for indigenous peoples and Parties, self-selection of representatives, and adequate funding.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2018). Promoting Public Participation in Climate Policies. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/PromotingParticipation_EntryPoints_COP24-draft-FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. Promoting Public Participation in Climate Policies. 2018. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/PromotingParticipation_EntryPoints_COP24-draft-FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=Promoting Public Participation in Climate Policies |date=December 2018 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/PromotingParticipation_EntryPoints_COP24-draft-FINAL.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2018promoting, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{Promoting Public Participation in Climate Policies}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2018}, month = dec, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/PromotingParticipation_EntryPoints_COP24-draft-FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }