Strengthening Democratic Governance for Climate Transitions

The RETOOL project addresses the dual challenges of responding to the climate imperative while simultaneously strengthening and reinvigorating democratic governance. The foundation of the project rests on the belief that achieving successful and inclusive climate transitions, as outlined in the European Green Deal and the Paris Agreement, necessitates robust democratic governance. This includes the active engagement of citizens in shaping the transition process. We analyse the impact of climate transitions on democratic governance and investigate how democratic structures influence climate transitions by focusing on key domains of governance, from representative institutions to climate movements. This enables RETOOL to enhance the
capacity of democratic governance to address complex issues and engage citizens in climate transitions. Our insights aim to improve policymaking in European Union and beyond.

Research Team

  • Project Coordinator: Diarmuid Torney, School of Law and Government at Dublin City University and Co-director of DCU Centre for Climate & Society
  • Project Partners (beyond the SIS: HOLISTIC, Universitiet Gent, University of Eastern Finland, The London School of Economics and Political Science, BOKU, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Dublin City University.
  • Trento Research Unit Coordinator: Louisa R. Parks (School of International Studies, University of Trento).

Researcher

  • Roberto Tesei (School of International Studies, University of Trento). Tutor Sara Lorenzini (School of International Studies, University of Trento).

Funding

The RETOOL project is funded under the European Union Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, Grand Agreement 101132661.