Since 2003, Defra has been gathering information on the broad topic of 'justice in environmental matters'. It includes a number of policy strands, relating both to the effective enforcement of environmental regulations by public authorities and to improving the accessibility of the judicial system for the public. Defra has undertaken a review of the research in consultation with other government departments, in particular the Department for Constitutional Affairs, with a view to developing an holistic approach to achieving greater justice in environmental matters. This research has been stimulated by the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992) and the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (1998).(Original source: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/enforcement/justice.htm)
