4.4 Annex 4. AARHUS CONVENTION. Follow-ups
Presentation made by Svitlana Kravchenko (EcoPravo-Lviv), plenary, 15 September 2000)
(Copies of the transparencies used for the presentation)
1. Task Forces created for improvement of the convention by the First meeting of Signatories
- PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register) – lead by Czech Ministry;
- GMOs (Genetically modified organisms) lead by Austrian Government;
Compliance Mechanism – lead by UK
NGO Coalition proposed Access to Justice TF, but it was not solved.
Between First and Second Meeting of Signatories
ECO-Forum participated in preparation of draft papers, which were sent to the Secretariat of the Aarhus Convention. Public opinion was taken into account. Representatives of ECO-Forum participated in all TF meetings:
- Compliance Mechanism, November 1999, London
- PRTR, February, Prague
- GMOs, April, Sofia
During MOS-2 in Dubrovnik new TF were created:
- Access to Justice – on initiative of ECO Forum
- Electronic information – Infoterra
- SEA – working group
2. We prepared a pamphlet: “Citizen rights under Aarhus Convention”. It is an explanation of the main provisions of the Aarhus Conventions in easy language, in questions and answers, for layperson, NGOs and citizens. It was published by EEB in English. It will be published in Russian and Ukrainian soon. One can find it on web site: www.participate.org
3. ECO-Forum representatives participated in workshop on Aarhus Convention of 5 countries of Central Asia in Ashgabad, in May 2000, organised by UNICE and UNEP.
4. Globalization of Aarhus.
John Hontelez and Svitlana Kravchenko participated in UNECE and UNEP meeting on promotion of principle 10 of 20 of Rio Declaration in Rome, in May 2000.
Svitlana Kravchenko visited UNEP office in Nairobi, Kenya and informed about Aarhus related activities. She participated in All-Africa environmental law conference and Annual Meeting of ELAW (Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide), sharing information about PPCC activity, organised and facilitate plenary session and working group on Aarhus Convention.
SEA – Strategic Environment Assessment
What is SEA? It is Environmental Impact Assessment of plans, programs, and policies. It helps to integrate environmental issues into policies and plans decision making.
- It should be done on early stage;
- It based on the methodology of EIA;
- Public should be involved;
- Written report about impact should be prepared;
- Public opinion should be taken into account.
SEA protocol should be prepared for Kiev 2003 Ministerial Conference. It might be developed under Espoo or Aarhus Convention. CEP meeting at the end of September will decide it. Probably it will be Protocol under Espoo Convention with participation of the Secretariat of Aarhus Convention.
We have some differences/problems on PP in these two Conventions:
- Espoo Convention scope – trans boundary context, does not cover national EIA;
- Espoo covers only plans, programs, and policies, but not legislation;
- PP procedure more developed in Aarhus Convention than in Espoo Conventions.