GEM UW Warsaw 2009

Sustainable Developmentand access to information about

environment and environmental protection

Dr Anna Kalinowska Doc. UW

Warsaw UniversityThe University Centre for Environmental Studies

Who is the Author of the concept of Sustainable Development?

„A global agenda for change”- this was what the World Commission on Environment and Development was asked to formulate. It was in 1983. an urgent call by the General Assambly of United Nations.

The Commission chaired by Mrs Gro Harlem Brundtland has completed its work in 1987 .

WCED call for a common endavour and for new norms of behaviour at all levels and in interest of all

in the report: Our Common Future

It is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

It contains within it two key concepts:*The concept of needs, in particular of the world’s poor

*The idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs

What is it: Sustainable Development?

WHAT IT MEANS IN PRACTICE?

People need ways of living of the good life. But these ways of life must be equitable- both within and among societes and between present and future generations and they must safeguard the diversit of ecosystems

How the idea of SD was implemented? 1992. Rio de Janeiro- Earth Summit of the United Nations

Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and its main result; Agenda 21

2002.Johannesburg –Earth Summit of the United Nation on Sustainable Development

its main result:Johannesburg Action Plan

Policy of the European Union based on the idea of sustainable development

The Earth CharterValues and

Principles for a Sustainable Future

Respect Earth and life in all its diversity

Protect and restore the integrity of Earths ecological systems-

We must reverse loss of biodiversity

Solidarity with nature„ the problem of

nature lies not in nature but in overdevelopment”

Care for the community of life with understanding, compassion and love

Accept that with the right to own, manage and use nature comes the duty to prevent environental harm and to protect rights

of people

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION Production which

care about environment –nature and natural resources

Production which respect human needs and dignity

Sustainable consumption Oposite of

overconsumption Respecting needs of

nature and other nations

Careing for Ecological Footprint as it is correlation between EF and consumption

Peace and Human Security Too often sustainable

development are undermined by insecurity and conflicts

SD therefore means to bulild skills and values for peace in minds of humankind.

Spiritual dimension of sustainable development The care for spiritual

development is not less important as material development

For people from differnt religions spiritual dimension is universal

Our compas VALUESEthical principles CARE RESPONSIBILITY SOLIDARITY CO-OPERATION PEACE RESTRAINT RESPECT FOR

DIVERSITY

Secure Earth bounty and beauty for present and future generations

Sustainable development and access to information on the environment Agenda 21 has already

higlighted the need for more open and transparent decision -making when it comes to environmental policy

The aim of access to info. is to help create a permanent channel of communication and dialogue.

What do we mean by „environmental information”?

The state of the environment and its elements: air, water,soil, landscape

Biodiversity including GMO Factors such as certain substances, noise.. The plans, programes, legislation etc The state of human health, living conditions The state of cultural sites likely to be affected by

the state of the environment

Active and passive publicity in relation to the environment

Passive publicity: the public is the actor, i.e the public request specific information from a public authority . Authority is requested to provide information at the lates witin one month.

Active publicity: the authority spontaneosly makes the information available to the public, in the form of easily accessible paper publication or a webside .

Access to information in the European Union In EU public access to information is in line with the

directive on freedom of access to information on the environment.

The value of this directive lies not only in making available environment related information but also demonstrating the transparency of decision- making processes

State of the environment reports at EU level and in the member States are an essential part of the information process.

Access to information at Member State level Environmental information is

provided in all Member States, through its form and level of accessibility differs.

Regional and local authorities are also responsible for making information available

Accessibility of information is considered to be as important as availability

Dissemination tools range from published documents to CD-ROM and video

Access to information and public participation in Poland

The law from 3.October 2008 on access to information on environment and its protection, public paricipation and environmental impact assesment

Everyone has the right to obtain official information that the public authorithies have on the environment

Types of decisions concerning the right to participate : the issuing of authorisation for certain activities and installations, the development of environmental plans or programmes, the development of environmental policies, the preparation of regulations

The Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and to

Justice in Environmental Matters

The Convention was created within the framework of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe but the origin date back to 1992 to the Rio Declaration.

25 June 1998 Ministerial Conference „Environment for Europe” approved the Convention in Aarhus in Denmark

Public access to information Access to information

such as the right to know is the first pillar of the Convention

Its the right for every person to obtain official information that the public authorities have on the environment

Public participation in decision -making The second pillar of

Aarhus Convention: Public authorities have to inform, allow sufficient time and takes matter in the account.Participating requirements being informed .

Public authority must take into account the results of this participation.

Access to justice in environmental matters

The third pillar of the Convention reinforce the other two by

guaranteeing their correct application with the help of court. It grants the public the right to penalise for breaches made by public athorities concernig access to information

Build democratic societes that are just, participatory and peaceful Promote social and

economic justice, enabling all to achieve a secure and meanigful life that is ecologicaly responsible