Website
Norwegian Citizen’s Assembly on Sustainable Consumption (regjeringen.no)
Commissioning
The Norwegian Ministry for Digitalization and Public Governance, on behalf of the Norwegian Government in full, commissioned the Citizens’ Assembly on Sustainable Consumption to support their work in addressing the UN Sustainability Goals.
Remit
The Assembly was tasked with considering and providing recommendations for solutions to three central problems identified by the government:
- How can we reduce our overconsumption of goods while maintaining a high quality of life?
- What is needed for us to consume less textiles, shoes, electronics, furniture, and equipment for home and leisure by 2030?
- How can we reduce overconsumption in an inclusive and fair way?
Commitment to respond
The Norwegian government has committed to responding to the recommendations made by the members of the Assembly in an upcoming White Paper on the UN Sustainability Goals.
Governance
SoCentral and We Do Democracy constituted a third-party secretariat to ensure independence and legitimacy of the Citizen’s Assembly. The third-party secretariat designed and implemented the Assembly and was responsible for the content of the Assembly meetings. This applies to the design of the process, the program for the gatherings and the organisation of the gatherings.
Delivery bodies
SoCentral and We Do Democracy designed and implemented the Assembly, supported by a group of expert advisors.
Participant recruitment
Recruitment was carried out by SoCentral. Recruitment for the Assembly consisted of sending 40.000 introductory SMS-invitations to residents across Norway, chosen via a democratic lottery. 66 members were randomly selected from the group of citizens who indicated their willingness to participate in the Assembly. Travel to and from the physical gatherings as well as board and lodging were covered.
Duration
The members of the Norwegian Citizens’ Assembly on Sustainable Consumption are expected to meet a total of five times between October 2024 and February 2025.
Structure
The Assembly will combine both in-person and online meetings. The members met physically twice and three times online.
Facilitation
Not yet available.
Evidence base
Information not yet available.
Developing recommendations
The Assembly developed a total of 25 recommendations, clustered around seven themes. The 25 recommendations received support from a minimum of 75% of the Assembly members. A full report on the recommendations can be found here: ANBEFALINGER - NASJONALT FOLKEPANEL OM BÆREKRAFTIG FORBRUK AV VARER (in Norwegian only at this time).
Final report
Not yet available.
Official response
The Minister for Digitalisation and Public Administration and the Minister for Climate and Environment received the citizens' proposals on 14 February 2025. Response not yet available.
Oversight of official response
No information available yet.
Impact
The outcomes of the Assembly will influence governmental policy on sustainable consumption, through the aforementioned White Paper. The extent is not yet known.
Evaluation
Not yet available.
Budget
The Citizens' Assembly Secretariat was responsible for the technical and practical implementation of the process. The secretariat was supported by an international advisory board of experts. 2.7 million Norwegian kroner were available for the implementation of the mini-public.
