This research area addresses the fundamental condition for sustainability transformations in liberal democratic societies: public support. At a time when climate change is accelerating and states need to embark on rapid and deep decarbonisation across all sectors of society, we are witnessing a backlash against ambitious climate targets and legislation. Across Europe and North America, party polarisation on climate change is growing and many political leaders are now referring to an alleged climate fatigue to pause or even roll back green regulation.
Democratic innovations in a polarised era
In academic, policy and activist discourse, green democratic innovations are today presented as a promising response to this new political climate. The concept refers to the many processes, institutions, and practices designed to deepen citizen engagement with collective action problems such as climate change. While institutional design may vary, green democratic innovations promise to revive democratic communication, rebuild trust in democratic institutions and ultimately make climate governance more inclusive, responsive and transformative.
Collaborative research for just and inclusive climate solutions
The Green Democratisation Laboratory at Linköping University critically examines how this promise plays out in practice. We do so through engagement with green democratic theory; in-depth case studies of democratic innovations in Europe’s just transition regions; and experimentation with participatory, deliberative and arts-based methods. By mapping, assessing, and experimenting with green democratic innovations, the Green Democratisation Laboratory seeks to create sites of democratic connectivity where diverse publics can collectively explore and cultivate transformative possibilities.
