For this study, the term ecological democracy refers to an alternative
democratic model characterised by two ideal conditions: first, it genuinely
strives to incorporate all interested citizens into environmental decisionmaking,
and, second, it lacks structural features that systematically concentrate
environmental amenities into the hands of particular social groups,
while imposing ecological degradation on others. Other normative elements
include widespread citizen support for ecological sustainability and inclusive,
equitable and meaningful participation of actors that cuts across social and
geographical strata.10