Amsterdam wants 55 percent less CO₂ to be emitted by 2030 than in 1990. We are not going to achieve that with the current measures. We ask 100 Amsterdammers to take extra measures in a mini-citizen deliberation to prevent us from actually achieving it.
Every year we calculate the effects of the measures we have taken and will be taken to reduce CO₂ emissions. This is done by an independent research agency. They conclude that with the current measures there will be 37 percent less emissions in 2030, but not 55 percent. Additional measures must therefore be devised and taken.
Part name
A group of residents of Amsterdam and Weesp aged 16 and older is drawn by lot and invited to participate in this mini citizens’ deliberation. We select 100 participants from the registrations who represent the city as best as possible. They have the opportunity to obtain additional measures to achieve our climate objectives. They do this under supervision and with the help of independent experts. The participants can also indicate plans they want to invite. First you will get extensive information on the subject. They then enter into groups to discuss new measures. The council takes over their account if they meet the pre-proposed preconditions and submits them to the council.
Why a mini citizens’ meeting?
There is not yet much experience with civil deliberations, but there are examples where civil deliberations have led to good and successful results. A form of formed consultative democracy in which not the politicians, but the residents themselves look for solutions for future transactions. The climate issue lends itself well to a typical citizen consultation: the subject is important in order to be able to use choices in the short term.
We expect to present the expectation of the mini-citizen deliberation to the municipality early next year. We speak of a minicivil deliberation because the process is completed in a short period of time and contains a compact question.
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Thinking, talking and participating