This publication is not an attempt to depict an ideal case or campaign. In fact, we tried to incorporate common strategies that environmental groups use and challenges they face when exercising their right to justice in environmental matters. Some public interest environmental cases consist of several lawsuits and other procedures so that it would take several publications just to reproduce the court decisions taken within one overall case. Some of the dialogues and events reflect real events and facts as gathered from case-studies, interviews and the personal experiences of the authors.

This booklet aims to give an introduction to PRTRs and the PRTR Protocol. It is not an exhaustive description of the Protocol, but tries to set some of its major components in context. Neither is it a definitive or authoritative guide to interpretation of the Protocol. We use examples from existing systems to demonstrate what is possible in a PRTR and list further sources of information for those who would like more detail. This is merely an introduction to the subject but one which we hope gives some grasp of the concepts of PRTRs and uses of the data.

This publication serves as a Guide for Environmental Citizens Organizations to know more about the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment which was signed in Kyiv, Ukraine, in May 2003. The Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment will commit the states of Europe and Eurasia to including environmental considerations in the most important decisions made by governments and public authorities. The Protocol will achieve this by guaranteeing a uniform minimum set of standards and procedures for the process of strategic environmental assessment.

For this publication in Russian, please follow the link here.

The broad ambitions of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development are still an inspiration, guiding us towards the goal of sustainable development. Almost ten years after their drafting, Principles 10 (public participation) and 15 (precautionary approach) give us a focus for our efforts to achieve environmental democracy and better protection of our environment. But words are not enough of course, and it is time to look at how these principles have been translated into action.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) can make sure that the environment is taken into account in all government planning and policy-making. This pamphlet explains how we can ensure that the environment receives such consideration, and that SEA is conducted with public participation.

Este folleto explica cómo utilizar Aarhus para proteger tu entorno y para contribuir a construir una sociedad más democrática. Ha sido redactado para animar a las personas y a las ONGs a hacer valer sus derechos y para ayudarles a conseguir un cumplimiento efectivo de las obligaciones derivadas del Convenio.

Cette brochure explique comment se servir de la Convention pour protéger l'environnement et renforcer la démocratie. Elle est rédigée dans le but d'encourager les citoyens et les ONG à affirmer leurs droits et de les aider à accepter et à mettre effectivement en oeuvre les prescriptions de la Convention.

This leaflet will explain how to use the Convention to protect your environment and help build democracy. It is written to encourage citizens and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to assert their rights and to assist them in effectively implementing the Convention’s requirements. Please click on the link to read it.

This publication has been prepared within the project “Environment for Europe - Environmental NGOs’ preparatory process for the Pan-European Environment Ministers Conference Åarhus/Denmark, June 1998" and financially supported by Danish Ministry of Environment and Energy and DG XI of the European Commission.

This publication has been prepared within the project “Environment for Europe - Environmental NGOs’ preparatory process for the pan-European Environment Ministers Conference Århus/Denmark, June 1998” and financially supported by Danish Ministry of Environment and Energy.