In 2022, Tartu organised its first climate assembly. Over two weeks, 55 local people gathered twice to hear from experts, discuss policy measures, and make their own recommendations. The Estonian city has committed to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. To manage this, the local administration is improving energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy, as well as taking steps to protect people from the effects of climate change.
Two of the main ways the city will achieve its goals are through updating its energy systems, for example by switching from oil-fired to electric heating powered by renewable energy and working with local people to rely less on traditional private cars, and more on public transport, shared electric cars, and active mobility like walking and cycling.
The city wants to involve local people directly in shaping its climate policy. Among other benefits, this ensures that their valuable insights from living in the city can contribute to better policy, and adds legitimacy to climate measures that can make them more popular once put in place. One of the ways that the city has chosen to do this is through the Tartu Climate Assembly, where local people came together to decide on ways to improve sustainable mobility in the city, reduce noise and emissions, and create safer and greener streets.
The climate assembly was organised over two weekends. During the first, a group of experts shared information on the topics, helping the residents to think deeply about all relevant elements of these issues. During the second weekend, 55 participants debated, negotiated and voted on the suggestions to bring forward to the local government. At the end of the process, the assembly made 66 recommendations on calming traffic, creating more space for pedestrians and bikers, and preserving and increasing biodiversity in Tartu. The town hall then took the recommendations into account when defining actions to transition to climate neutrality.
What were the key drivers supporting the implementation?
- Internal buy-in: Before engaging with local residents, the organising team introduced the initiative to the other departments of the local government, asking for their input. As a result, the departments of planning and economic affairs joined the initial group formed by the departments of Urban Design, Urban Planning, Architecture and Buildings, Business Development, and Communal Services. The Vice-Chairman of the City Council, a local expert on democracy building, and an international expert also participated in the discussion groups with the residents.
- External assistance: Each partner had a well-defined role. The local government hired the expertise of Green Tiger, a process designer that helped co-organise the activity.
- Citizen engagement tradition: Tartu has long been using digital tools to gather residentsâ opinions about local initiatives. Out of the 15,000 invitations that were distributed to gather participants to the climate assembly, many of those who accepted had already been involved in participatory processes.
- Diversity and caring communication: One of the main aspects pointed out by the local government is the lack of dropouts from the start of the debating phase. As locals mentioned, the possibility to interact with such a wide range of actors as well as the caring communication that was used by the organisers of the event, prompted people to stay and provide their insights in a respectful manner.
And what were the barriers and lessons?
- Expectations: The scope of the proposals raised during the climate assemblies was wider than the topics dealt with by the departments initially involved in the engagement process.
- Cultural: One of the main factors to take into consideration when organising stakeholder participatory processes is the cultural background of the population. Representatives from Tartu acknowledge that it tends to be difficult to engage people in these activities due to the lack of interest in public speaking. The more open the culture, the easier it can be to engage actors.
- Engaging local âinfluencers': Due to the lack of interest in public speaking, attracting influential locals to these events can be a good strategy to gather more participants.
- Continuity and communication: It is key to continue to inform stakeholders on how their decisions impacted local politics. In 2024, Tartu held another assembly, the topic of which was food waste. Some of the participants that attended the latter had already been involved in the first climate assembly organised in 2022. Their motivation to participate stemmed from the governmentâs determination to communicate what percentage of the implemented local climate and energy actions were a product of stakeholder participation activities.
Potential for replication
- Political: It is necessary for any city that wants to implement such an action to have the political support to do so.
- Financial: The budget allocated to the Tartu Climate Assembly was over âŹ30,000. It is important to have this amount to invest in such a positive process.
- Topic: Tartu recommends this method to be implemented in any city; however, it is important to carefully choose the topic of discussion.
- Expectations: Municipalities need to manage residentsâ expectations. They are not being invited as experts but as inhabitants and people who experience the city. Being able to keep them motivated during the process is key to ensure success.
- Risk and commitment: Municipalities must be willing to take the risk and be aware that whatever recommendations come from climate or citizen assemblies, they will help shape the politics of tomorrow. Tartu, for instance, acknowledges that the suggestions that were put forward by the residents and interest groups helped the city allocate its budget in the following years.