Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40465160›Full record

SynthesisAmbio2025

Participatory approaches to climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation: A systematic review.

Meg Parsons, Naomi Joy Godden, Karen Paiva Henrique, Petra Tschakert, Noémi Gonda, Ed Atkins, Karin Steen, Roa Petra Crease

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Ambio, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Meg ParsonsSchool of Environment, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand. meg.parsons@auckland.ac.nz.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8721-659X
Naomi Joy GoddenCentre for People, Place and Planet and School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9881-3365
Karen Paiva HenriqueDepartment of Human Geography, Planning and International Development, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2163-2854
Petra TschakertFaculty of Humanities, School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4268-3378
Noémi GondaDepartment of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1261-8380
Ed AtkinsSchool of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, England.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8694-8465
Karin SteenLund University Centre for Sustainability Studies, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4176-4296
Roa Petra CreaseSchool of Environment, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7790-7872

Funding

Australian Research Council DE240100532Vetenskapsrådet No. 2018-05866Vetenskapsrådet VR-VetenskaprådetWorldwide Universities Network UoA 3726084
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

For decades, social scientists and activists have advocated for equal participation of citizens in decision-making about development and equitable futures. The urgency of this call has intensified with the climate emergency, pushing communities towards resilience. Yet, the concept of participation remains contested. This systematic review examines 187 articles to understand how participatory processes in climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience initiatives engage with power dynamics. Findings are categorised into three themes: domination and exclusion, negotiation and contestation, and transformation and emancipation. Results reveal that most participatory approaches sustain power imbalances and exclude marginalised groups, hindering meaningful engagement. However, some cases highlight transformative practices that foster empowerment, shared decision-making, and inclusivity. These examples offer pathways to rethink participatory climate action by emphasising power redistribution and community leadership. Future climate initiatives must prioritise these transformative dimensions to disrupt entrenched inequalities and achieve just and resilient outcomes.

Indexed as

Climate ChangeCommunity ParticipationDecision MakingHumansClimate adaptationClimate mitigationEmpowermentParticipationPower dynamicsResilience

Identifiers

PMID40465160
PMCPMC12569303

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.