Welcome to the Aarhus Clearinghouse for Environmental Democracy.
This web portal showcases information on laws and practices relevant to the public's right to:
• access environmental information
• participate in environmental decision-making, and
• achieve justice on environmental matters
The Aarhus Clearinghouse provides information relevant to the implementation of Principle 10 of the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development at the global and regional level, as well as national levels all over the world. It also facilitates the collection, dissemination and exchange of information related to the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (in short: Aarhus Convention).
The Aarhus Convention and its Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers are the only international legal instruments putting Principle 10 into effect. The universal environmental rights that are enshrined in these treaties are essential elements of sustainable development and are relevant to a wide range of global concerns, such as climate change, water management, protection of biodiversity, health, greening the economy, peace and security, and the eradication of poverty. They therefore provide a solid and comprehensive framework for Governments to engage the public effectively in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The target group of the web portal covers a wide range of users, including Parties, other States and intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, international financial institutions, academia, business, and the general public.
Easy access to information on how countries are implementing the Aarhus Convention can provide an invaluable source of inspiration for other countries that work on developing their own procedures, mechanisms and legislation
We hope you will find the news and resources of the Aarhus Clearinghouse helpful for developing procedures, mechanisms and legislation in your countries or for simply accessing information and sharing your knowledge on matters related to the Principle 10 and the Aarhus Convention.
