1998 Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (the Aarhus Convention) provides a legal framework that empowers communities by granting them rights to access environmental information, participate in environmental decision-making, and seek access to justice in environmental matters.
Environmental sustainability needs involvement of all actors. The Aarhus Convention, implemented by Regulation (EC) No 1367/2006, Directive 2003/4/EC and Government Regulation No 1175 guarantees the public’s right to receive environmental information held by public authorities, which includes information on the state of the environment, potential impacts on human health, and environmental licensing decisions. Under the information pillar of the Convention, public authorities are obliged to provide this information speedily upon request and must also regularly disseminate and make environmental information easily accessible in electronic form. The Convention provides a broad description of environmental information (ACCC/C/2011/63) and establishes that any person has access to such information without a need to prove or even state an interest. In fact, such information may be requested even anonymously.
Yet, historically, environmental NGOs and local communities have paid relatively little attention to the Convention, missing opportunities to shape the Governmental policies through advocacy and litigation. This tool is especially crucial for environmental defenders — from individuals speaking out against harmful agricultural practices in their village to activists protecting forests across the globe. The Convention protects them: under Article 3(8), no one may be penalized, persecuted, or harassed for exercising their rights. In fact, in 2021, the Parties to the Aarhus Convention adopted a rapid response mechanism to safeguard environmental defenders under threat.
While national courts remain cautious in applying the Convention directly, it offers another route: the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee (ACCC). This independent body considers cases of non-compliance, most often brought directly by members of the public. It also provides advice and assistance to governments seeking to meet their obligations.
We are proud to announce that the leading environmental organisation The Environmental Coalition of Lithuania has nominated Rytis Satkauskas, Managing Partner at ReLex, for election to the ACCC at the eighth session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Convention in Geneva (17–19 November 2025).
ReLex
