Warsaw Climate Panel
In autumn of 2020 a civic panel was held in Warsaw.
What does that actually mean?
It’s one of the methods of including the residents
in the city’s decision-making
and listening to their voice.
What this participants discuss?
The topic of our Panel was:
How to increase the energetic efficiency and the participation
of renewable resources in the city’s energetic balance.
Quite a difficult one.
Among the issues discussed,
which are to become recommendations for changes in Warsaw,
the most crucial ones were solar farms on public buildings, such as schools, hospitals,
as well as electrification of vehicles, used in public transportation,
and also certain limitations in using cars and thermal insulation of buildings.
We generally touched upon solutions which in the nearest future may turn Warsaw
into one on the European leaders as far as the reduction on CO2 is considered.
How were the panelists selected?
The sample was chosen in order to reflect the city in a nutshell in regards to age, gender,
place of inhabitance and education.
Then the invited individuals showed readiness
and among them we chose 90 people who took part in the Panel.
We had young people, middle-aged, seniors, people with and without children,
who ride bicycles, cars, who work in various places…
so the it really was a range of situations that may influence
how they perceive the topic, discussed in the Panel.
What motivated them to take part in the Panel?
I feel a bond with Warsaw, I have lived here for 15 years
and I find the possibility to participate and speak out
on issues important for me and the city’s future very rewarding.
Traditionally the panels are a live experience, but due to the pandemics
the Warsaw Climate Panel was held online.
The Panel was divided into several parts.
The first one was educational, extremely important due to the fact
that the invited panelists came from various backgrounds.
Initially some of them were skeptical towards the issue of climate change,
and the meetings with experts and several sessions,
devoted to the understanding of the problems we crucial for further actions.
In the next stage we worked on practical recommendations for Warsaw,
which should be taken into consideration by the city authorities while deciding on climate solutions.
In the next step we voted on those most important, which should be prioritized.
The recommendations referred to various areas,
in which we can introduce new solutions,
more suitable for contemporary challenges and the climatical crisis.
Warsaw may adjust to these challenges, react to them
and implement a more balanced energy management system.
How powerful were the recommendations?
The civic panel is a tool which bases on the fact
that prior its launching the decision of a city or a town mayor
or a voit guarantees the citizens that regardless what they vote for
and whatever recommendations they present, they will be implemented.
In other words: we do not know the decisions yet, but we guarantee their execution.
How does it feel to decide on the city’s future?
Some may call it power, others democracy,
when referring to direct participation in what should happen in Warsaw in the upcoming years.
What are the main objectives of the Panel?
An important assumption of the Panel is that
when the citizens are given proper expert knowledge,
they will be able to make decisions,
discuss even such difficult issues,
and support the decision makers.
The essence of the Climate Panel is forming a civic capital, two-way.
On one hand, the Mayor trusts the citizens to choose recommendations,
useful for the city and its inhabitants,
on the other hand the citizens, who devote their free time,
trust the president that their work will not go to waste.
I believe that it also solves the problem of feeling helpless
against global crises and challenges,
as here we take the first step
and get involved in finding solutions,
building a dialogue on the subject,
starting a debate not only among the panelists,
but forming a ripple effect,
as all of them share their thoughts and the knowledge,
acquired during the Panel, with their network.
What does the civic panel have to do with democracy?
Well, that depends what real democracy is,
as the residents of Warsaw, owing to the democratic system,
have the possibility to influence decision-making and,
every four, or now five, years, they elect
their representatives for the City Council and their Mayor.
But it happens only once every five years.
The question on the real meaning of democracy is as such:
can the citizens directly influence the decisions made.
The civic panel gives them this possibility.