Implementation of the Aarhus Convention

This document explains the context, principles, and implementation of the Aarhus Convention, which ensures public access to environmental information, participation in decision-making, and access to justice. It outlines the Convention’s roots in Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration, the European Union’s and United Kingdom’s respective roles, and the mechanisms supporting compliance, including the independent compliance committee. The text further discusses key EU directives, national legal instruments, and case studies such as Hinkley Point and Greenpeace, illustrating procedural rights and challenges in applying Aarhus provisions across national and institutional contexts.