Foundation
Key Terms
Shared language, clearer understanding.
A glossary to clarify common language around climate, engagement, and equity.
This page contains some simple definitions to help you feel confident and clear when involving people in climate engagement.
Clear, confident communication is essential when engaging your community on climate action. This page offers plain-language definitions of key terms you’re likely to encounter when designing or delivering public engagement processes. Understanding and using these terms well can help build trust, reduce confusion, and strengthen community input in local climate decisions.
Why?
Key Terms in Climate Public Engagement
Key Actors and Interested Parties
What it means: People or groups who are affected by, or have influence over, a decision
Example in Local Climate Engagement: Residents, local businesses, schools, transport providers, environmental groups
Net Zero
What it means: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible, and balancing out the rest (e.g. by planting trees or using carbon capture)
Example in Local Climate Engagement: Developing a climate plan that supports building retrofits and renewable energy use to meet council net zero targets
Climate Justice
What it means: Recognising that climate change does not affect all people equally, and ensuring fairness in action and support
Example in Local Climate Engagement: Prioritising lower-income neighbourhoods for insulation upgrades due to higher fuel poverty risk
Just Transition
What it means: Making sure climate action is fair – especially for people and communities most affected by climate change and are at risk of being left behind by net zero measures
Example in Local Climate Engagement: Working with local colleges to retrain workers moving from fossil fuel industries into green jobs
Deliberation
What it means: A structured process where people learn, reflect, and discuss issues in depth before making recommendations
Example in Local Climate Engagement: Running a climate assembly or citizens’ jury to explore local transport options and make policy suggestions
Participation
What it means: Any form of public involvement in engagement activities
Example in Local Climate Engagement: Collecting feedback on a new cycling network through drop-ins and online surveys
Public Engagement
What it means: Involving residents in shaping decisions, policies, or services that affect them
Example in Local Climate Engagement: Co-designing a community climate action plan with input from local people
Review
Have a go at the following exercise:
- List three words or phrases you regularly use when talking about climate engagement.
- Would someone unfamiliar with your work understand them?
- Try rewriting each one in plain English—and test them with a colleague outside your team.