The 'Citizen's Juries' Are Out?

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) set up four thinktanks. These 'citizen's juries' were cross-sections of the public who were given information on climate breakdown by experts. They were asked to assess how to effectively bring about the needed changes (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/26/citizens-juries-deliver-climate-crisis-verdict-to-westminster). The IPPR citizen's juries were set up in geographically and politically diverse locations. They were, respectively, in Aberdeen (Scotland), South Wales, Tees Valley (North of England) and Thurrock, Essex (South of England). The participants were all volunteers (so, they were likely to have been interested/concerned about climate breakdown). Participants seemed impressed that the experts generally stayed to answer their questions (I would have thought this was essential if the juries were to function). Not all the groups have currently finalised their reports. It is evident, however, that many participants were concerned that attempts to limit climate change would be entirely 'top down'. They would be devised at Westminster (the London Parliament) and ignore local concerns. Participants felt that fairness must be at the heart of policymaking to bring down emissions. Concern was expressed that the costs might disproportionately fall on ordinary (poor and middle income) households. A number of participants also noted that there was likely to be resistance to changes, by some groups in their local areas. It's all very well governments promising online, net zero (carbon emissions) by a particular year. Carrying a diverse and fractious population with them is, however, likely to be a difficult task.