9 October 2018: A task force on access to environmental information discussed systemic issues related to ensuring effective public participation. At the eighth meeting of the Task Force on Public Participation in Decision-Making under the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention), Parties shared experiences and best practices on public participation, and recognized the Convention’s contribution to the SDGs, particularly SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

The meeting convened in Geneva, Switzerland, from 8-9 October 2018, under the leadership of Italy. Representatives of Parties to the Convention, Aarhus Centres, international organizations, regional environmental centres, judiciary institutions and other stakeholders attended the meeting.

Participants discussed the rise in “repression and brutality against environmental activists.” According to UNECE, Global Witness documented 207 killings of environmental and land defenders in 2017 who were murdered for defending their forests, rivers and homes against industries. The Task Force reported on challenges in protecting persons exercising their rights in conformity with the provisions of the Convention, such as fear of reporting incidents and difficulties in identifying individuals’ responsible for ordering and executing such acts of repression.

The Task Force called on Parties to review legal frameworks and practical arrangements in line with the Convention, and to address other systematic challenges related to the persecution and harassment of persons exercising their rights in conformity with the Convention. Participants also suggested establishing an arrangement under the Aarhus Convention to allow for “rapid reaction,” and for Parties to create “environmental defender shelters.”

A special session highlighted difficulties related to public participation in decisions on chemicals and products. Speakers observed that the complexity of such decisions and the technical language of the information can hinder public comprehension and engagement on these issues. For example, the session described challenges in discussing glyphosate, a pesticide that has been classified as “probably carcinogenic” and has been the subject of a major court case in the US and a debate in the European Parliament.

The Task Force underscored that public participation on decision-making related to chemicals and products is critical to ensure the safe management of chemicals and wastes, sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and environmental protection. Parties shared experiences from their countries, with several noting that they are revising legislation and promoting synergies with other international instruments related to chemicals.

Parties shared experiences on providing early and meaningful public participation, including practical arrangements and tools to make procedures more efficient and effective. Some Parties have established online platforms for public notification and access to information, which they said support public participation in decision-making. Participants also recognized the importance of non-digital means for notification, and access to information to overcome the digital divide.

Participants looked towards the March 2019 UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (RFSD) as an opportunity to highlight progress on public participation, including on how public participation in decision-making on environmental issues has supported the SDGs. Participants also recognized that implementation of the Aarhus Convention can contribute to SDG target 16.10 on the protection of fundamental freedoms, and target 16.7 on ensuring responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. [UNECE Press Release]