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Event Report 

The webinar on deliberating climate justice was about the importance of deliberative democracy in addressing climate justice. Professor John S. Dryzek discussed the need for inclusive democratic deliberation to empower all relevant agents and reconcile competing conceptions of justice. He also emphasized the challenges faced by countries such as Nepal in global climate negotiations and the importance of regional groupings like ASEAN in addressing climate justice. The discussion also touched upon the role of major countries like China and India in mitigating climate change and the need for a more deliberative approach to global governance.

Prof. Dryzek discussed the exploration of different conceptions of climate justice and put emphasis on both rich and poor countries having common responsibility in climate change which has shifted over time. Negotiations on climate justice involve the strategic deployment of conceptions to serve self-interest, which can be defensible in some cases. Deliberative democracy is proposed as the most desirable approach to dealing with multiple reasonable conceptions of climate justice.

He discussed the role of deliberative democracy in global climate politics. He stated that inclusive deliberation should empower all relevant agents to determine and implement justice. More deliberative interchanges within civil society and involving experts and lay citizens are needed. Lay citizens should be integrated into deliberative systems along with other actors such as public intellectuals, experts, and civil society. Global assemblies of lay citizens should be involved in deliberative relationships with experts, public intellectuals, and civil society members. International negotiations should apply more deliberative principles and involve direct representation by the poor themselves.

Furthermore, Prof. Dryzek stated that studies show that the poor can deliberate effectively, shaping the meaning of poverty. Efforts to involve the poor directly in global negotiations have been weak and sporadic. Recognition of the legal rights of natural systems is a small step towards listening to non-human entities. Lay citizens forums do a better job of thinking about long-term policy consequences than conventional governments.

When it comes to global climate governance and refugee accommodation, the international regime for dealing with climate change is not effective. The Biden administration’s climate policy is an improvement, but the US still faces structural problems. The incorporation of climate refugees and ensuring compliance is a complex and challenging issue. For climate policy and global governance, equity is essential to climate justice, as small countries like Nepal suffer disproportionately. Nepal can exercise influence in global negotiations by joining blocks of countries and establishing moral authority. The current system of global governance on climate change is inadequate, and creative solutions are needed for reform.

Prof. Dyrzek concluded the discussion by stating that transformative change historically occurred after World Wars, posing the challenge of envisioning such moments without catastrophic events. China’s role in global governance and climate change is crucial, with potential for leadership and developmental challenges. Regional groupings like ASEAN could play a significant role in involving marginalized communities in climate justice deliberation.

Prepared by Nina Katherine M. Achol, NIICE Intern