Harnessing digital tools for democratic deliberation: Comparative insights from 11 European climate assemblies

In response to growing environmental crises and institutional inertia, climate assemblies (CAs) have emerged as vital mechanisms for participatory climate governance across Europe. As these deliberative forums evolve, the integration of digital tools is increasingly seen as key to enhancing information dissemination, participation, and public engagement. This chapter offers an initial, exploratory review of the role digital technologies play in 11 European CAs. It examines how these tools shape the input, throughput, and output dimensions of deliberative processes, identifying both foundational and innovative uses. These case studies reveal significant variation in the use of digital tools, influenced by national context, assembly design, and available resources. This chapter argues that while digital tools help bridge geographic and informational gaps and promote transparency, they also raise concerns about accessibility, digital literacy, and potential exclusion. Accordingly, whereas digital tools hold significant potential to enhance democratic ideals, which accounts for their growing use, it is crucial to carefully balance their technological benefits with the potential risks to equity and inclusive participation. As a first step in exploring this emerging area, this chapter sets the groundwork for future, more detailed research on how digital infrastructure can reshape participatory climate policymaking in Europe.