European Commission rules out extension of Aarhus rules

Citation

(2010), "European Commission rules out extension of Aarhus rules", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 21 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/meq.2010.08321fab.001

European Commission rules out extension of Aarhus rules

Article Type: News From: Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Volume 21, Issue 6

The European Commission has decided against extending the scope of a 2003 directive implementing the Arhus convention on public involvement in environmental decision-making. The directive gives the public a say in plans and programmes related to activities listed in one of its annexes. It applies to waste, batteries, nitrate pollution in water, hazardous waste, packaging waste and ambient air quality assessment. The report also reviews the directive’s implementation since its adoption. The evidence suggests “very limited use” of participation rights, possibly because of the relatively short period of time between the law’s implementation and the review, says the Commission.

However, many member states pointed out that the quality of environmental information acquired by the public in areas covered by the directive has improved significantly as a result. The public’s knowledge of its rights must be enhanced, says the Commission. Details on the Arhus Convention can be seen at: www.unece.org/env/pp/