In this opinion piece, the author reviews the Ukrainian response to the 2005 and 2008 decisions of the Parties calling for Ukraine to submit an action plan and undertake legal reform to bring it into compliance with the Convention. An “Action Plan on Implementing the Decision of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention III/6f” was passed by the Cabinet of Ministers on 27 December 2008 (No. 1628-1) which outlines certain actions which are to be taken during 2009, including legislative amendments. The Plan also calls for creation of an Inter-Departmental Working Group on ensuring Implementation of the Decision of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention. In the author's view, the Plan narrows the concept of environmental information to information about the state of the environment and fails to address public participation seriously.
