Learning Call on Sweden's Climate Assembly

During the spring of 2024, the FAIRTRANS research programme hosted Medborgarråd om Klimatet (MoK), Sweden’s first climate assembly and second national-level deliberative minipublic. The assembly’s remit was to deliberate and agree upon recommendations to decrease Swedish emissions in light of the Paris Agreement (with a focus on transportation). MoK had no political or administrative mandate but aimed to enrich and nuance the national discussion on climate policy through established and new media engagement . The design aimed to incorporate support for systems thinking, for example through the use of the ‘climate fresk’ game. The learning call considered the design and outcomes of the assembly, in particular the lessons from its communications and systems thinking ambitions.

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We were joined by Tim Daw, Associate Professor in Sustainability Science, the lead organiser of the Medborgarråd on Klimatet and Sofia Bernett, the Communications Lead, both based at Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University. Tim and Sofia provided the perspective of the organisers. Assembly Member Jenny Larsson shared her experience as a citizen participating in the assembly. Finally, Mattias Goldmann from 2030-sekretariatet provided an outside perspective on the assembly as an key actor in the transport policy with no involvement in the assembly. Graham Smith, Chair of KNOCA, chaired the Learning Call.

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For more background information, see the Medborgarråd om Klimatet website and the KNOCA summary of the assembly.

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Watch the recording of the event here:

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Chapters:

00:00 Welcome w. Graham Smith

04:28 Tim Daw shares his experience on organising the assembly in discussion w. Graham Smith

20:18 Sofia Bernett outlines the communications strategy of the assembly and discuss communication efforts with Graham Smith

36:48 Assembly member Jenny Larsson shares her experience as a citizen participating in conversation w. Graham Smith

52:55 Mattias Goldmann discuss the potential of climate assemblies and the role of Civil Society Organisations from an outsider perspective w. Graham Smith

1:06:08 Q&A panel discussion

1:24:13 Finishing thoughts w. Graham Smith

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Short summary:

Tim Daw, the lead organiser, shared his experience, noting that it was a complex process with a strong media coverage which impact on public debate is still an open question. Daw emphasized the need for more co-design time and better stakeholder feedback. Sofia Bernett, who was responsible for communication, shared the strategy, emphasizing the importance of early media coverage and promoting the assembly members as spokespeople. Jenny Larsson, a member of the citizens' assembly, shares her experience. She found the process overwhelming but rewarding, appreciating the opportunity to hear diverse perspectives and engage in civil discussion. Mattias Goldmann praised the process, emphasizing behavioral change proposals and suggesting formal integration into climate governance and how Civil Society Organisations can help keep the recommnedations and debate relevant. All participants highlighted the value of collaboration, common ground, and face-to-face dialogue, expressing hope for similar assemblies in the future.

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