Arguably, many organisations – both public and private might be tempted to answer ‘YES’.

After all, global warming is scarcely out of the news, and over 260 local authorities have declared a ‘climate emergency’, and central Government is making daily announcements of policy changes. As the UK will host COP26 in Glasgow this November, politicians are jockeying for position, as illustrated by Johnson’s surprise announcement of ending the sale of conventionally-powered cars by 2035.

The car industry’s leaders are not impressed. They called it a ‘date without a plan’, and clearly, they are key stakeholders who are yet to be convinced. They are not the only ones. There will be a long queue of interests wanting to be consulted – and rightly so. They are big decisions with huge impacts requiring significant behaviour change. The very type of issues we know will run into massive opposition unless their advocates win the battles of hearts and minds.

That challenge awaits virtually every large organisation, be they private companies, regulators, local authorities or government departments. It will not be enough to add some public engagement at the back end of the decision-making. The voice of those affected will need to have been hard-wired from the beginning of the process. No wonder councils and bureaucracies are scratching their heads as to how best to approach it.

Here at the Institute, we have watched the situation unfold. We have seen many of our best and most experienced consultation professionals recognise that planning for major climate-change initiatives requires stakeholder and public involvement far earlier in the process. Best practice is just evolving – and those who wish to be ahead of the curve might wish to talk to Institute Associates about the emerging standards. 

Here, for example, are some of the issues:-

• Many councils are under pressure to run Citizens’ Assemblies, whose track record is still uncertain.
• Such high-profile events are mistakenly thought to substitute for wider public engagement. In fact, they do not, for some of their conclusions and recommendations may demand further consideration by wider society.
• There will be much sensitivity over who and who does not become engaged. Climate sceptics (yes, they do exist …!) will object if they believe that the ‘green lobby’ is disproportionately dominant in forums, focus groups and formal dialogues.
• So all-pervasive is the publicity around this issue that we can expect consultations on the more accessible subjects to attract much higher response rates than is traditional.
• Legal challenges will be almost certain if significant vested interests feel their commercial business is threatened. Watch out for challenges over bus services, oil exploration and extraction, pipelines as well as cycleways and roads.

We already have a plethora of slightly-overlapping (if well-meaning) legislation that requires public bodies to make progress on this ‘green’ agenda. In Wales, they also have the much-admired Health & Wellbeing Act. The requirements for engagement and consultation flow inevitably from these obligations, but too many organisations are yet to face up to the implications for dialogue with their customers, communities or stakeholders.

Councils that adopt far-reaching programmes that cover many different aspects of community life face the problem that separate initiatives may be managed by different departments. Some will be familiar with the demanding tasks of public engagement and experienced in dealing with local groups and campaigners. Others may be wholly unprepared for the role. Allegations that some authorities deal inconsistently with their local communities will surely create predictable reactions and divert officers and Councillors from the goal of reducing carbon emissions. Without doubt, a comprehensive, approved engagement strategy will become all but essential.

The Institute expects to help its members and clients navigate this labyrinth. Later this Spring, we will launch a comprehensive framework that will help our members anticipate what engagement and consultation will become necessary and plan for the process. Ahead of this launch, we are happy to start a conversation with any friends or supporters who might be interested in gaining a deeper understanding of what’s likely to become involved.

To progress this further, please contact Sheena Ahmed: SheenaA@consultationinstitute.org