On the occasion of the COP26, a citizens’ assembly, composed of 100 people from all over the world, met to accompany the negotiations between the States.
To select the citizens’ panel of the assembly, a two-stage draw was set up. An algorithm indicated 100 sites around the world, then local partner organisations identified people who could participate according to different criteria (age, gender, level of education and, logically, concern about the climate). In the end, there were 18 Chinese, 17 Africans, 10 Europeans, 18 Indians and 5 Americans, 70% of whom earn less than $10 a day. Each citizen is accompanied by a “community host” who provides all the necessary equipment and ensures the translation of exchanges. Of all ages and nationalities, men and women alike, they all answered this question: “How can humanity respond to the climate and ecological crises in an effective way?
Questioning the effectiveness of climate action on a global scale
The World Citizens’ Assembly began by voting to enshrine the crime of ecocide in all laws (international and national)… and to strictly enforce it. The declaration of the World Assembly, which is being presented to world leaders at the COP26 climate conference.
The final report is expected in March 2022, although a first set of proposals has already been presented at COP26.
©Eugene Afful / Yannis H on Unsplash / dr
