What is environmental democracy?
The grave disruptions to people’s lives because of the environmental and climate crises are destabilising democracies. Environmental democracy is based on the vision that decisions on natural resources must adequately and equitably address citizens’ interests, and that they must be part of these decisions through access to information, justice, and decision-making processes. Rather than setting a standard for outcomes, environmental democracy sets a standard for how decisions should be made. At the same time, there is a robust nexus between higher standards of democratic practice and more appropriate environmental and climate action.
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WFD's COP27 reading list
WFD's COP27 reading list
There is a robust link between higher standards of democratic practice and more appropriate environmental and climate action. To prepare for COP27, we’ve collected the highlights of our resources on environmental democracy.
Addressing the climate and environmental crises through better governance
This study explores the potential for development cooperation to help address climate change and environmental degradation through greater focus on environmental governance.
Post-legislative scrutiny of climate and environment legislation
Our guide to post-legislative scrutiny of climate and environment legislation sets out some steps for how parliaments can respond to the danger posed by current rates of environmental decline and a warming climate.
Guide for increasing participation in democratic environmental governance
Our guide for increasing participation in democratic environmental governance sets out how to make policy more inclusive of those most affected.
Report launch: Legislative leadership on environmental issues
To examine the extent to which parliaments protect the environment, this event launches a report which examines single-use plastic (SUP) bans. Join us on 23 November.
Watch Nick Mabey's keynote speech on environmental democracy
Post-COP26: Where next for Environmental Democracy and foreign policy?
What is environmental democracy?
The grave disruptions to people’s lives because of the environmental and climate crises are destabilising democracies. Environmental democracy is based on the vision that decisions on natural resources must adequately and equitably address citizens’ interests, and that they must be part of these decisions through access to information, justice, and decision-making processes. Rather than setting a standard for outcomes, environmental democracy sets a standard for how decisions should be made. At the same time, there is a robust nexus between higher standards of democratic practice and more appropriate environmental and climate action.
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