Best Practices for Citizen Engagement in Climate Change Adaptation

Effective citizen engagement is pivotal in driving successful climate change adaptation efforts. This study is part of the Mission Adaptation AGORA project (A Gathering place to cO-design and co-cReate Adaptation), which aims to strengthen citizen engagement in climate adaptation by developing innovative methodologies and frameworks that enhance public participation. By focusing on co-creation and knowledge-sharing, AGORA supports the development of climate-resilient communities through the integration of diverse perspectives and local insights. Here, we present the results of our efforts to synthesize findings from two years of research – including expert surveys, interviews, and peer-learning workshops – to identify best practices and challenges in citizen engagement initiatives (CEIs). Our analysis, which covers a wide variety of participatory approaches to citizen engagement, highlights the necessity of a few universal principles to follow in order to foster effective participation. These include setting clear objectives, investing in tailored communication strategies, taking goal-dependent design choices, and the mindful consideration and involvement of the different actors involved in all stages of preparing, carrying out and participating in the CEI. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of understanding contextual factors, such as local socio-economic conditions or the familiarity  of the local political system with  deliberative democratic processes, when designing and implementing impactful CEIs. Despite good intentions and intensive research and hands-on experience attempting to overcome them, we find that persistent challenges remain, particularly in reaching marginalized groups and translating engagement outcomes into policy actions. 

Our recommendations stemming from this study aim to provide adaptable engagement frameworks that strengthen democratic processes, inclusivity, and climate resilience, offering practical guidance for policymakers and practitioners seeking to engage citizens in the field of climate adaptation. By creating tailored guidance depending on the intended goal and context, we hope to inform design choices of a wide range of citizen engagement approaches, ranging from awareness raising and ideation, to citizen science and knowledge co-production, to shared decision making for climate adaptation action.