The UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision- Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters

In order to contribute to the protection of the right of every person of present and future generations to live in an environment adequate to his or her health and well-being, the Aarhus Convention recognises the procedural rights of access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters (‘the three pillars’). The analysis of the progress made by Parties in implementing the ‘pillars’ shows that the issue of access to justice constitutes the major obstacle to implementation. As to the most important legal developments, the adoption of a Compliance Committee has constituted a major step in the furtherance of the provisions of the Convention. The Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers and the GMO amendment are also important tools for the application of more stringent approaches to environmental protection. Similarly, the Almaty Guidelines represent a significant move towards the increased accountability and efficiency of international environment-related forums.