Over 100 citizens of Rotterdam deliberated in 2024 on the question: What should Rotterdam do further to achieve climate goals? The result: 10 recommendations to the municipality, including smart street lighting and increased use of rainwater. On January 30, the city council of Rotterdam adopted the recommendations.
The 100 Rotterdammers formed the citizens climate assembly. They were selected by lot. In 6 sessions, they gained knowledge and devised solutions to achieve climate goals.
Electric Repair Bus
The citizens assembly proposed 10 recommendations, 9 of which were fully adopted. These include turning off unnecessary lighting, reusing rainwater, deploying an electric repair bus, and a public campaign to encourage residents to engage in more greening.
Thinking Along About a Sustainable Port
The 10th recommendation Municipality as shareholder in climate improvement was only partially adopted. The assembly proposed integrating CO2 reduction into the licensing of port companies, which is beyond the municipalitys jurisdiction. However, the council adopted the proposal to allow Rotterdammers to participate in thinking about the ports sustainability.
Keeping an Eye on Progress
The recommendations will be included in the Rotterdam Climate Action Plan (KAR). Progress will be monitored through the KAR. Additionally, 25 former participants of the citizens assembly will keep an eye on the implementation to ensure it is carried out as intended.
Citizens Assembly
The citizens assembly represented a cross-section of the city, incorporating various opinions and experiences in the recommendations. It demonstrates that a group of residents can provide valuable, concrete advice on complex societal issues.
Read all recommendations in the report. Link opens an external page of the citizens climate assembly.