Review of deliberative engagement on climate policy development

A rapid review to explore new, more deliberative forms of involving the public in decision making to inform its approach to developing Net Zero and climate related policies in Wales.

This report presents the findings from a rapid review conducted between September 2024 and March 2025 and sets out four recommendations.

Deliberative engagement methods are helpful tools for meeting the duty placed on public bodies to consider and involve people of all ages and backgrounds in decision-making. The review sets out a range of ways in which deliberative methods can help, including:

bringing more diverse voices into policy making
helping policy makers take account of lived experience
enabling space for learning and reflection, to foster a more informed position before asking the public to weigh up policy choices
increasing the legitimacy of decisions made
building on the work of a global network of practitioners applying deliberative approaches to climate related issues

Reports