People, Place, Purpose. 14 Case studies of public engagement from Climate Outreach

14 stories of climate engagement come from across the UK and beyond. They feature the work of many different organisations and groups, on many aspects of the climate and nature crises. Together they showcase the impact public engagement on climate issues can have. They demonstrate how it can help us reduce climate-changing emissions, adapt to our changing world and address key social issues. They represent the potential of ‘doing with’ people, not ‘doing to’.

From citizens’ assemblies in London to participatory budgeting in global cities, each story demonstrates how involving people directly in climate-related decisions helps create solutions that are not only more effective, but more equitable and grounded in lived experience.

The report is both a practical resource and a call to action. It argues that public engagement is not a luxury or afterthought, but a vital component of successful climate strategy—especially in times of political and economic uncertainty.

With tools like deliberative democracy, immersive arts, and legislative theatre, these case studies illustrate what’s possible when we prioritize collaboration, local context, and trust-building. There is an extensive section on participatory budgeting on pages 20-26.

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Read about People, Place Purpose on the Climate Outreach Website

Direct download of the full report