Promoting Public Participation in Climate Policies

This briefing note from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) outlines opportunities for UNFCCC Parties to enhance public participation and access to information within the implementation guidelines of the Paris Agreement, specifically in the context of COP-24.

• Public participation and access to information are identified as essential for the effective implementation of climate action. Engaging civil society, indigenous peoples, and communities in planning mitigation and adaptation efforts is said to increase public support, raise ambition, and improve the resilience and effectiveness of these actions.
• The IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C indicates that involving stakeholders, civil society, and minorities in the discussion and endorsement of climate action plans increases the likelihood of success. Regarding adaptation, the report suggests that sustainable development strategies enable transformational adaptation if they prioritize equity, participation in decision-making, and poverty reduction.
• For Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the document suggests that guidance on information necessary for clarity, transparency and understanding (ICTU) should include details on stakeholder consultations and the participation of local communities and indigenous peoples to ensure contributions are truly "nationally determined".
• The briefing recommends that the Transparency Framework and the Global Stocktake (GST) be designed to allow active input and participation from observer organizations and civil society. Specifically, the GST should build on the inclusiveness and transparency experienced during the Talanoa Dialogue.
• The document argues that the Sustainable Development Mechanism (SDM) under article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement must avoid the failures of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), where a lack of guidance led to projects being implemented without meaningful community consultation or avenues for redress. It calls for a grievance mechanism that is independent, rights-based, accessible, equitable, transparent, legitimate, and efficient.
• The operationalization of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform should be based on principles of effective participation, the equal status of indigenous peoples and Parties (including in leadership), 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} }