Despite broad recognition of the need for inclusive climate action, marginalized communities, Tribes, and smaller local governments remain underrepresented in planning and decision-making. Structural barriers—including limited time, resources, childcare, transportation, and digital access—further restrict who can participate, while engagement processes often remain one-way, consultant-driven, or performative. These approaches over-rely on the same few individuals, create community fatigue, and fail to reflect cultural context or lived experience, undermining trust and the effectiveness of state-led programs.