A new study from Loughborough University finds that people trust citizens' climate assemblies more when those most affected by climate change or climate policies are given a stronger voice. The research surveyed around 3,000 people across the UK and found that assemblies with reserved seats for affected groups like young people or energy workers were seen as more legitimate than those chosen entirely at random. This challenges the common assumption that random selection is the fairest approach for these deliberative bodies. The findings matter as governments increasingly use citizens' climate assemblies to shape policy on emissions cuts, job transitions, and extreme weather preparation. With COP31 approaching, the study suggests that designing assemblies to include those with the most at stake could build broader public trust and acceptance of difficult climate decisions. The research was led by Dr Anthony Kevins at Loughborough University and surveyed public attitudes toward assembly design and legitimacy.
