How consultation will play its part in implementing the COP26 agreement? 

Greta Thunberg has clearly found a phrase that resonates with many people.

Portraying politicians and diplomats as merely pushing paper and haggling about words on endless documents conjures up a picture that is in great contrast to the hyper-activity sought by climate activists who believe we are in a full-scale emergency. No wonder young people express their frustration.

Public consultations must appear to them to be part of this picture. Even experienced policy-makers occasionally dismiss them as sterile time-wasting, and the modern vogue for more participative methods tends to monopolise any discussion of what is becoming known as climate engagement.

Several recent reports have covered this topic and deserve serious study.