The added value of including citizen perspectives in a transition management process towards climate neutrality. Insights from an experience in the Swiss Alps

Abstract

When citizens do not feel included in transition processes, implementation can become very difficult. Hence, we used a survey to include the perspective of citizens in one such transition process towards climate neutrality in the Swiss Alps, and analysed how this enhanced its legitimacy.

Initiatives that foster transformative change often adopt a transdisciplinary approach by involving stakeholders from various sectors of society. Although transdisciplinary projects often emphasize a representative selection, it does not change the fact that a few stakeholders might develop visions, strategies, and policies that could affect many. A legitimate and transparent process is vital to ensure public acceptance and a successful implementation. In this study, we explore how citizens can be involved in transition management initiatives, based on a transition process towards climate neutrality in the Swiss Alps. Here, local citizens evaluated the vision developed by selected stakeholders, as well as the legitimacy of the process. The results were incorporated into workshops with the stakeholders. Based on the survey and interviews with stakeholders, we evaluate whether and how citizens’ views informed the transition process. Overall, citizens supported the vision developed by the stakeholders. The latter, in turn, highly valued the citizens’ perspectives, but were unsure about how to best integrate them. We conclude that the inclusion of citizens at an early stage can increase the legitimacy and transparency of transition processes.