Aarhus Convention

➖ Also known as UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters

➖ All of the ratifying states are in Europe and Central Asia.

➖ Multilateral environmental agreement through which the opportunities for citizens to access environmental information are increased and transparent and reliable regulation procedure is secured.

➖ Rights-based approach: the public, both in the present and in future generations, have the right to know and to live in a healthy environment.

➖ Three Pillars: Access to information, Public participation in decision making, Access to justice.

Kyiv Protocol

➖ Kyiv Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers to the Aarhus Convention

➖ 34 states plus the European Union have ratified the Protocol.

➖ 1st legally binding international instrument on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs).

➖ PRTRs are inventories of pollution from industrial sites and other sources such as agriculture and transport.

➖ Parties to the Protocol need not be Parties to the Convention.