Do climate acts of EU countries enable the most vulnerable to participate in climate policymaking?

Abstract

One way to give recognition to and account for vulnerability in climate policymaking is enhanced public participation. This study examines national climate acts across the EU Member States from this perspective, paying particular attention to those members of the public who are considered most climate vulnerable. The analysis finds that few of the acts address public participation, and none of the acts examined directly provides for the participation of specified groups of people based on their presumed vulnerability to climate change impacts. There are, however, participation mechanisms that take into account climate vulnerable groups. Yet, many states have not regarded the national climate act as the legal instrument of choice for regulating public participation in climate policymaking. However, this paper argues that the institutionalization of public participation in the national climate acts would have added value.