Environmental Communication
The Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters
Public authorities and natural or legal persons having public responsibilities in relation to the environment and wich are under the control of public authorities (such as utility companies supplying energy or water).
You don’t need to provide a reason for your request. You or your organization does not have to be a citizen or resident of the country from which you are requesting the information, or located near the area you are requesting information about.
In the event of any imminent threat to human health or the environment, for example an industrial accident which releases harmful chemicals into local river, all information which could enable the public to take measures to prevent or mitigate harm arising from the threat should be disseminated immediately to members of the public who may be affected.
Public participation should be enabled at the earliest stage of decision-making. Timely - allowing sufficient time for informing the public and for the public to prepare and participate effectively in the decision-making. Prompt notice of decision to ensure timely public response.
Access to justice procedures should be fair, equitable and timely. The remedies provided should be adequate and effective and there should be access to injunctive relief where appropriate.
Parties must provide an inexpensive, accessible way for people to submit their complaints.
Any activities which are likely to cause harm to the environment can be challenged according to Aarhus convention. Annex I of the convention gives a list of possible harm activities but is not exhaustive.
According to Article 9.2 of Aarhus convention any person or organization which expresses public concern or has sufficient interest and impairment of rights can go to court.
Although terminology varies considerably among agencies and governing bodies conducting them, most hearings fall into one of four broad categories: Legislative hearings - give people an opportunity to comment on proposed legislation. Quasi-legislative hearings - are conducted by administrative agencies and various appointed boards and commissions. Adjudicatory or quasi-judicial hearings - held by administrative agencies, boards, or commissions, are usually much more formal. Investigatory hearings - are sometimes conducted by congressional or state legislative committees.
Different channels are appropriate for different audiences, and the choice of channel will depend on the audience being targeted, the messages being delivered and the context of the emergency. Using a variety of channels or a channel mix is recommended so that messages can be reinforced through multiple sources.
The Bern Convention of the Council of Europe and the European Union's Habitats Ddirective are primary legal instruments driving species and habitat protection in Europe. While the HD has stronger enforcement mechanism than the BC, it covers a smaller geographical region.
The objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity are “the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources” (Article 1). Dealing with economic and institutional factors is key to achieving the objectives of the Convention.