Speaker
Description
The growing urgency of climate change requires effective and inclusive strategies to meet sustainability targets. The Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) supports municipalities in achieving climate neutrality through mitigation and adaptation measures. However, the success of SECAPs relies not only on their technical rigor but also on the extent to which they incorporate stakeholder perspectives and local knowledge . This paper explores the participatory processes embedded in SECAP development, using the municipality of Bolzano as a case study.
Bolzano, a city situated in northern Italy with ambitious climate goals, provides an example of participatory planning in action. Through the ClimaBZ project, led by Eurac Research, a participatory approach was adopted to integrate community insights into the design of its SECAP. A central feature of this approach was its structured participatory framework, which included the creation of two key participatory bodies: the Citizens' Assembly for Climate and the Stakeholder Forum.
The Citizens' Assembly for Climate involved 30 residents of Bolzano selected to reflect the city’s demographic diversity. This assembly acted as a platform for residents to deliberate on climate-related challenges and co-develop actionable solutions for the SECAP. The Stakeholder Forum brought together 12 representatives from key sectors, including businesses, civil society organizations, and public institutions, ensuring that diverse perspectives were considered in the decision-making process.
In addition to these participatory bodies, a dedicated website was launched to facilitate broader community engagement. This online portal contained a proposal submission tool that allowed residents to contribute ideas and suggestions for reducing emissions and adapting to climate change in Bolzano
Preliminary findings from the ClimaBZ underscore the value of participatory approaches in enhancing the quality and legitimacy of SECAPs. The Citizens’ Assembly and Stakeholder Forum fostered a sense of ownership among participants, improving the likelihood of long-term implementation and adherence. Meanwhile, the proposal portal allowed for a wider range of community voices to be heard.
This case study offers valuable lessons for municipalities seeking to replicate Bolzano’s experience. It demonstrates that participatory processes not only increase the robustness of SECAPs but also create pathways for boosting community resilience and social cohesion. The findings advocate for embedding participatory mechanisms into local climate governance frameworks as a standard practice, ensuring that the transition to sustainability is both equitable and inclusive.
However, the true impact of the participatory process remains unclear, as understanding its full effects requires further observation of the outcomes of the actions outlined in the SECAP. Among the expectations expressed by citizens and stakeholders, there is a strong emphasis on the need to continue participatory processes as part of the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the SECAP’s actions.
Bolzano’s experience reinforces the notion that climate action is most effective when communities are active partners in the process. By prioritizing collaboration, transparency, and inclusivity, municipalities can design SECAPs that resonate with local realities while contributing meaningfully to global climate goals.
| Keywords | secap; participation; inclusion; |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
