Stakeholder Workshop: Climate Democracy: The Role of Independent Advisory Bodies and Courts in the EU

Climate Democracy: The Role of Independent Advisory Bodies and Courts in the EU

The RETOOL stakeholder workshop on Climate Democracy: The Role of Independent Advisory Bodies & Courts in the EU was held on 27–28 January 2025 at the London School of Economics (LSE).

The event brought together leading experts, academics, practitioners, and other stakeholders to explore the vital roles of courts and independent expert advisory bodies in addressing climate governance challenges within the European Union.

During the workshop, ongoing research within the RETOOL project was presented, including an analysis of the role of the UK Climate Change Committee in climate governance and a mapping of climate-relevant litigation before the Court of Justice of the EU.

Key Discussions

The event featured a series of insightful roundtable discussions. The first session focused on the challenges and benefits of adopting a broader definition of climate litigation. Participants also discussed the potential for new litigation definition based on recent developments in the EU’s climate governance framework, particularly the 2021 Aarhus Regulation and the European Climate Law.

A second session explored the interaction between courts and advisory bodies, shedding light on how these institutions complement and challenge one another in the pursuit of effective climate governance. The discussion also delved into the institutional resilience of advisory bodies in the face of political and social turbulence, such as misinformation and the rise of right-wing populism.

The final session focused on the role of independent expert advisory bodies, addressing their impact on climate policymaking and democratic governance. Experts shared insights on how these bodies influence legislative and executive climate action across EU member states. They also discussed the extent to which advisory bodies, as knowledge brokers, could play a public-facing communication role.

As the RETOOL project progresses, the insights from this workshop will inform ongoing research on the intersection of climate governance and democratic institutions. The discussions highlighted the need for continued engagement with courts and advisory bodies to ensure that climate action remains effective, legitimate and inclusive.