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Participatory approaches to climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation: A systematic review

Parsons, Meg ; Godden, Naomi ; Paiva Henrique, Karen ; Tschakert, Petra ; Gonda, Noemi ; Atkins, Ed ; Steen, Karin LU and Crease, Roa (2025) In Ambio
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... (More)
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. (Less)
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
in
Ambio
publisher
Springer Science and Business Media B.V.
external identifiers
  • scopus:105007229382
  • pmid:40465160
ISSN
0044-7447
DOI
10.1007/s13280-025-02202-z
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
03ee19e6-48b2-4609-823a-bf2c81845535
date added to LUP
2025-05-22 11:53:35
date last changed
2025-10-14 10:38:41
@article{03ee19e6-48b2-4609-823a-bf2c81845535,
  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.}},
  author       = {{Parsons, Meg and Godden, Naomi and Paiva Henrique, Karen and Tschakert, Petra and Gonda, Noemi and Atkins, Ed and Steen, Karin and Crease, Roa}},
  issn         = {{0044-7447}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{05}},
  publisher    = {{Springer Science and Business Media B.V.}},
  series       = {{Ambio}},
  title        = {{Participatory approaches to climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation: A systematic review}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13280-025-02202-z}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s13280-025-02202-z}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}