The European Parliament is giving Europeans more say in environmental policy. The current procedures are not in line with the Aarhus Convention, the international participation rules that the EU signed over 15 years ago.
The convention concerns the right to information on environmental matters, the right to be involved in environmental decision-making, and access to justice in environmental cases.
However, the EU did not comply with the convention in several respects. Individuals still cannot turn to European institutions to obtain information or challenge decisions. Under these new rules, that will be possible in many more cases, albeit under certain conditions.
GroenLinks MEP Bas Eickhout said that the European Greens have been advocating for this treaty adjustment for years. “Although the new legislation is not perfect, it is an important step. This is not only important because the environment concerns us all, but also because it is very important for trust in the European institutions,” Eickhout stated.
The negotiations over the legislative amendments were difficult because the ministers and the European Commission resisted strongly. Eickhout: “The Commission is afraid that increased participation will lead to more administrative work, and the governments struggle with more transparency.”
The signatories of the Aarhus Convention will meet on October 18. Before that, the Council of Ministers is also expected to approve the amended legislation. The new rules will likely come into effect later this year, although citizens will still have to wait another one and a half years before they can make use of the improved access.