According to reports today in the Independent, the United Nations Economic Commission Europe has found the UK is in breach of international law regarding public participation and the right to receive information on environmental issues and projects with particular regard to wind farm developments. The newspaper reported that the tribunal had concluded the UK had denied the public decision-making powers over energy projects and "necessary information" over benefits or adverse effects, in contravention of Article 7 of the Aarhus Convention.
The complaint was brought by Christine Metcalfe, a community councillor from Argyll, who said the public had not been informed about wind power's potential to reduce CO2 or any effects on health. <…>
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said it was disappointed by the ruling, but maintained the decision would not affect its ambitions for the deployment of wind power or other renewable energy technologies. "The United Kingdom is of course aware of its obligations under article 7 and will seek to act in compliance with them where those obligations apply," a spokesman said.
