EU implementation of the Aarhus Convention: access to information, public participation and justice, compliance review, and the 2021–2023 reforms expanding internal review and standing
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The Aarhus Convention—introduction
The European Union formally ratified the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision‑Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (the Aarhus Convention) in February 2005. In May 2005, the EU, together with its 27 Member States, became Parties to the Convention. The Aarhus Convention requires that each Party secure for the public three fundamental rights:
- access to environmental information, including details on the state of the environment, policies or measures affecting it, and public health and safety where these are affected by the state of the environment
- participation in the environmental decision‑making process, enabling the public to be involved when environmental choices are made
- access to justice in environmental matters
Non-compliance with the Aarhus Convention
Article 15 of the Aarhus Convention obliges the Parties to establish arrangements of a non‑confrontational, non‑judicial and consultative nature to review compliance with the Convention. Such arrangements must allow for public involvement and may include the option of considering communications from members of the public on matters related to the Convention...
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Web page updated on 21/05/2026
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