The Aarhus Convention

Every person has the right to be informed, to be involved in decision-making and to have access to justice in environmental matters. In short, this is the content of the Aarhus Convention. This key text contributes to creating trust amongst the public in relation to its institutions and, on a broader level, their democratic way of operating. By offering the public involvement in environmental discussions, it meets the requirements of transparency and community, synonymous with good public governance.


NEWS

Upcoming public consultation:

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Ongoing public consultations:

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Past consultations


One convention, three levers of democracy

The Aarhus Convention grants three fundamental rights to the public and the associations representing it:

It specifically deals with two major issues regarding transparency:

The Aarhus convention in Belgium

The Aarhus Convention was adopted on 25 June 1998 by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). On 30 October 2001 the European Community ratified the Convention and adapted its legislation to the Convention’s provisions (see Implementation in the EU). Since 21 April 2003 the Convention has been in force in Belgium. The belgian federal and regional authorities have adapted their legislation to the Convention’s provisions (see Implementation in Belgium):

Every three years, Belgium has to write an Aarhus Convention implementation report and submit it for public consultation.

More information: