Reports
This is where you can download reports, publications, presentations and press releases from our work on democracy and sustainable development.
Online Activism, Democracy, and Climate Change
April 2010
Sally Hill
Drawing on her experience as membership coordinator for Australian online campaign group GetUp during 2008-9, FDSD volunteer Sally Hill considers the rise of online activism exemplified by four organisations: MoveOn, GetUp, 38 Degrees, and GetUp. Case studies focus on the four organisations’ climate change activities. The discussion paper also discusses the implications of online activism for democracy and for effective action on climate change.
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(1.12Mb)
What is democracy?
March 2010
Halina Ward and Anandini Yoganathan
In this paper, which forms Paper Two in FDSD’s project on The Future of Democracy in the Face of Climate Change, the authors review a range of definitional approaches to democracy. They discuss the relevance of existing approaches in the light of climate change and its possible impacts on democracy.
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(814kb)
Democracy and Climate Change: why and what matters
March 2010
Halina Ward
In this first paper from FDSD’s project on ‘The Future of Democracy in the Face of Climate Change’, Halina Ward outlines the range of links between democracy and climate change. The paper explores the range of reasons why it is important to explore the project’s central question: How might democracy and participatory decision-making have evolved to cope with the challenges of climate change by the years 2050 and 2100?”.
Separate sections address democracy; the sustainable development challenge to democracy; climate science; the Copenhagen Climate Summit, and climate change and the wider challenges of preparing for resilient democracy.
The paper lays the ground for FDSD’s work throughout 2010 to develop scenarios for the future of democracy in the face of climate change.
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(771kb)
Democracy, environmental justice and sustainable development; Issues and approaches for civil society in the UK: an emerging agenda
December 2009
Maria Adebowale, Simon Burall, Caroline Digby, Erin van der Maas, Paul Manners, Charles Secrett, Matthew Scott, Mark Walton, Halina Ward, Stuart Wilks-Heeg
In this paper written following an NGO Leaders meeting on democracy, environmental justice and sustainable development held in October 2009, participants reflect on an emerging agenda on democracy, environmental justice and sustainable development, and their potential role in shaping its course.
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(396kb)
A revolutionary pathway to democracy, environmental justice and sustainable development
December 2009
Charles Secrett
Leading sustainability campaigner Charles Secrett sets out a possible pathway for achieving revolutionary change towards democracy, environmental justice and sustainable development.
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(364 kb)
‘Climategate’: a salutary episode
December 2009
Ian Christie
Ian Christie considers lessons from the so-called ‘climategate’ affair in this short piece, written during the December 2009 COP15 negotiations.
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(146 kb)
Learning from the Hungarian Green Ombudsman
November 2009
Halina Ward
Halina Ward reflects on the potential relevance for the UK of Hungary’s unique ‘Green Ombudsman’ role: the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Generations. This piece was originally published in the November issue of the electronic journal of the UK Environmental Law Association, e-law.
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(382kb)
Background paper on environmental justice, democracy and sustainable development
October 2009
Maria Adebowale, Halina Ward
This short background note, produced by Capacity Global and the Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development, is intended to help stimulate discussion at a half-day Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) Leaders meeting on democracy, environmental justice and sustainable development on 26th October 2009. The note outlines a range of intersections between democracy, environmental justice and sustainable development in the UK, and highlights issues for consideration at the meeting.
International democracy day: work to do
September 2009
Halina Ward, John Elkington
In this piece, published on opendemocracy.net on the Second International Day of Democracy, 15th September 2009, FDSD’s Director and Chair reflect on links between democracy and climate change; and urge the global community to recognise the dangers posed to democracy by climate change.
Read article on opendemocracy.net
Open letter to Ban Ki-moon on Democracy and Climate Change
September 2009
John Elkington, Halina Ward
On the occasion of the second International Day of Democracy, FDSD Chair John Elkington and Director Halina Ward write to United Nations Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon on the subject of equipping democracy for resilience in the face of climate change. They warn that unless the world’s nations take meaningful and decisive action to tackle climate change, democracy itself may be a casualty, and ask that in future years International Day of Democracy become an opportunity to reflect on the democratic challenge of climate change.
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(266kb)
One world ethics, democracy and sustainable development
July 2009
Halina Ward
This report contains the text of a presentation made by Halina Ward to participants at Salzburg Global Seminar’s 2009 Board weekend. The report reflects on the idea of ‘One World’ thinking and ethics by highlighting links between democracy and sustainable development.
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(385kb)
ISO 26000: social responsibility talks tread on government toes
May 2009
Halina Ward, Ethical Corporation
Halina Ward analyses tensions between government-led public policy and multistakeholder decision-making in this piece on the proposed ISO 26000 International Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility.
Read the article on ethicalcorp.com
Democracy and Sustainability in Emerging Economies: India as a case study
February 2009
Joydeep Gupta with Halina Ward
This report records discussions at a three-day seminar held in New Delhi in February 2009. The event explored Indian perspectives on links between democracy and sustainability. It was organised by Salzburg Global Seminar and the 21st Century Trust in collaboration with The Environment Foundation, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and TERI.
Keynote speakers were Mr Nitin Desai and Dr Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and TERI Director-General.
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(163kb)
Report of consultation on democracy and sustainability
April 2008
John Elkington and John Lotherington
This report records discussions at a March 2008 event on Democracy and Sustainability which was organised by The Environment Foundation and 21st Century Trust and hosted by the Dana Centre.
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(44kb)
Can democracy save the planet?
April 2008
John Elkington and John Lotherington
John Elkington and John Lotherington’s reflections on discussions on ‘Democracy and Sustainability’ at the Dana Centre in March 2008. They ask: is democracy necessary for sustainable development, or does it get in the way?
Read article on opendemocracy.net
