THE GREEN party have welcomed Oxford City Council's announcement that it will organise the country's first 'citizen's assembly' on climate change.

The council made the announcement earlier this week, but questions remain about the details of the initiative, including how it will appoint a 'randomly selected, representative' sample of Oxford residents.

Its first meeting is scheduled for September.

READ AGAIN: Citizens assembly in Oxford to tackle climate change

Green councillor Craig Simmons said: "Getting citizens on-board is an important part of tackling the climate crisis. However, it is only one element of a comprehensive plan to address the climate emergency."

In January, councillors unanimously declared a climate emergency in the city, which is also aiming to implement the world's first Zero Emission Zone, starting next year.

READ MORE: 'Climate emergency' in Oxford as council rejects Expressway plans

Incoming mayor Mr Simmons added: "The council needs to look long and hard at its own decision-making and set a good example. At the moment, it isn't."

The Greens have criticised the council for investing millions in car park expansion and not insisting on zero carbon housing.

A national citizens' assembly is one of the main demands of the environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion.

Oxford Mail:

Activist Ben Kenward said: "It's really excellent news - Extinction Rebellion believes this kind of participatory democracy is exactly what is needed to solve the crises, because we believe that ordinary citizens will have the courage to make the difficult decisions and find the radical solutions that politicians often shy from.

"But what happens if the recommendations turn out to be more radical than the politicians like? Will it be too easy for them to get away with ignoring them? The Extinction Rebellion position is that Citizens Assemblies should be given mandatory power.

"Another issue is that the citizens must be sure to be be given sufficient information and time to process it."

Lib Dem city councillor Paul Harris added: “We welcome the announcement, which we called for several months ago. However the real blockage on climate change action in this area lies with Oxfordshire County Council, which has been ineffectual on all climate change issues, and is currently supporting building a new motorway across the County.

ALSO READ: ZEZ proposals: your questions answered

"We hope that the assembly will pressure the council to change its ostrich like attitude.”