Gonda, Noémi
- Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
For decades, social scientists and activists have advocated for equal participation of citizens in decision-making about development and equitable futures. The urgency of this call has intensified with the climate emergency, pushing communities towards resilience. Yet, the concept of participation remains contested. This systematic review examines 187 articles to understand how participatory processes in climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience initiatives engage with power dynamics. Findings are categorised into three themes: domination and exclusion, negotiation and contestation, and transformation and emancipation. Results reveal that most participatory approaches sustain power imbalances and exclude marginalised groups, hindering meaningful engagement. However, some cases highlight transformative practices that foster empowerment, shared decision-making, and inclusivity. These examples offer pathways to rethink participatory climate action by emphasising power redistribution and community leadership. Future climate initiatives must prioritise these transformative dimensions to disrupt entrenched inequalities and achieve just and resilient outcomes.
Keywords
Climate adaptation; Climate mitigation; Empowerment; Participation; Power dynamics; Resilience
Published in
AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment
2025
Publisher: SPRINGER
SLU Authors
Associated SLU-program
SLUsystematic
UKÄ Subject classification
Political Science (Excluding Peace and Conflict Studies)
Environmental Studies in Social Sciences
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-025-02202-z
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/142189