Citizens' Assembly discuss climate change for the first time
19th March 2021
Jersey’s
newly appointed Citizens’ Assembly on climate change has completed the first of
four content blocks focused on the convening questions ‘how we should work
together, to become carbon neutral’?
Comprising
four sessions between 13 to 17 March, the first block, “Onboarding &
Orientation”, saw the 45 randomly selected participants introduced to the
climate change issues affecting Jersey and the part they will play in Jersey’s
commitment to achieving carbon neutrality. Following presentations from subject-matter
experts (SMEs)* about specific aspects of climate change to members,
participants virtually discussed the issues in groups before engaging in
Q&A sessions with the expert speakers.
Chair-Convenor
of the Citizens’ Assembly, Emelita Robbins, commented: “Over the course of this
first block of sessions I was very impressed by the energy and enthusiasm
demonstrated by everyone involved. There is real strength in how the process
works which enables participants to get to grips with the complex issues. The
willingness of the participants to come together in their learning created a
collective intelligence in the discussions and I am confident that in due
course this will lead to informed and credible recommendations.
“With
this level of constructive engagement, the process has the potential
to influence discussions outside of these sessions so that the debate widens
out. There is opportunity for example for those involved in the ‘build
back better’ debate to commit to a clean and green recovery. But most
importantly, this focus on the climate change agenda gives us all the
opportunity to reflect on the fact that change is only going to be
effective if we all get on board. It’s pretty clear from the information shared
in the sessions so far that the behaviour of people is going to do more to
resolve the challenges of climate change that any Government or technology.”
Emelita
Robbins has published a blog post summarising
her thoughts on the first block, which can be accessed along with experts’ presentations
and factsheets from the first content block on Jersey’s Climate Conversation website. Block two will
take place between 27 to 31 March and demonstrate a ‘deeper dive’ into climate
change issues, focusing particularly on the contribution of transport to
Jersey’s emissions. Following all 14 sessions, the Citizens’ Assembly will come
up with a set of recommendations as to how Jersey can achieve its goal to
become carbon neutral.
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