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Fifteenth meeting of the Task Force on Access to Justice under the Aarhus Convention

4 April (pm) - 5 April 2023

04 - 05 April 2023
Salle XVIII, Palais des Nations Geneva Switzerland

The fifteenth meeting of the Task Force on Access to Justice took place from 4 April 2023 (afternoon) to 5 April 2023 in Geneva (Palais des Nations, Building E, Salle XVIII).

The Task Force aimed to provide a platform for exchanging information, experiences and good practices with regard to key recent developments in the implementation of the Convention’s pillar on access to justice and possible measures to remove barriers hampering its implementation.

The thematic sessions of the meeting focussed on access to justice in cases related to climate change and biodiversity protection. The Task Force discussed current trends, good practices, barriers, challenges, and innovative approaches in these areas. Furthermore, the delegates continued discussion on access to justice in energy-related cases; took stock of measures removing barriers related to costs, access to assistance mechanisms and timeliness of the review procedures; and learnt about recent and upcoming developments. The Task Force also considered tools to promote effective access to justice such as (a) access to independent environmental expertise; (b) dissemination of information on access to review procedures, collection of relevant data and statistics and access to relevant case law using e-justice initiatives, modern digital technologies and other tools; and (c) multi-stakeholder dialogues to remove existing barriers.

The outcomes of the meeting are expected to support countries’ efforts in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate action), 14 (Life below water), 15 (Life on land) and 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions) with its target 16.3 (Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all).

Hashtags for the meeting @UNECEAarhus: #AarhusConvention, #AccesstoJustice, #SDG16.3

The meeting was preceded by 2023 Judicial Colloquium (Geneva, 3-4 (morning) April 2023) for representatives of judiciary, judicial training institutions and other review bodies.

You can learn further information about this meeting in the UNECE news: Enhancing access to justice to tackle climate change and pollution and protect biodiversity

For additional enquiries about the meeting, please contact the secretariat at public.participation[at]un.org (subject line: 15TFAJ request).

 

 

Documents

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ AC/TF.AJ-15/Inf.1 - Provisional Agenda _ 375165 _ English _ 773 _ 372930 _ pdf

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ ECE/TF.AJ-15/Inf.1/Add.1 - Provisional Programme _ 376869 _ English _ 773 _ 377780 _ pdf

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ List of Participants _ 381891 _ English _ 773 _ 389677 _ pdf

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2023/4 - Report of the fifteenth meeting of the task force on Access to Justice _ 380187 _ English _ 773 _ 394242 _ pdf

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2023/4 - Report of the fifteenth meeting of the task force on Access to Justice _ 380187 _ French _ 780 _ 394243 _ pdf

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ ECE/MP.PP/WG.1/2023/4 - Report of the fifteenth meeting of the task force on Access to Justice _ 380187 _ Russian _ 864 _ 394244 _ pdf

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ AC/TF.AJ-15/Inf.4 - Key outcomes of the 15th meeting of the Task Force on Access to Justice _ 377536 _ English _ 773 _ 378377 _ pdf

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ Decision VII/3 on access to justice _ 375609 _ English _ 773 _ 373941 _ pdf

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ Decision VII/3 on access to justice _ 375609 _ French _ 780 _ 373942 _ pdf

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ Decision VII/3 on access to justice _ 375609 _ Russian _ 864 _ 373943 _ pdf

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ AC/TFAJ-15/Inf.2 - Item 3: Analysis of energy-related cases for improving implementation of the Convention: scope and methodology draft outline _ 377177 _ English _ 773 _ 377318 _ pdf TFAJ_Inf2_Outline_analysis_energy_cases_clean_2upload.docx (application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document, 40.27 KB) docx

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ AC/TF.AJ-14/Inf.3/Rev.1 - Questionnaire on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters _ 377180 _ English _ 773 _ 377323 _ docx

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

38528 _ AC/TF.AJ-15/Inf.3 - Draft report on the outcomes of the survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters _ 377206 _ English _ 773 _ 414431 _ pdf 15TFAJ_Inf3_Survey_AJ_outcomes_to_upload.docx (application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document, 55.46 KB) docx

Provisional agenda is available below. Other meeting documents will be uploaded here as soon as they become available.

The background material for the meeting includes relevant information derived from 2021 synthesis and national implementation reports, survey on measures to enable effective access to justice in environmental matters and analytical studies, the Convention-related case law database as well as the Convention’s Implementation Guide, relevant Aarhus Clearinghouse resources, relevant Compliance Committee reports, and other material.

Additional material by partners:

Item 2 (a):  Climate Litigation in Europe: A summary report for the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment published by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment

Item 2 (b): Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP/15/L25)

Statements and Presentations

Item 2: Thematic focus
(a) Access to justice in cases related to climate change

Ms. Christina VOIGT, Chair, IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law PDF video link

Mr. Benjamin SCHACHTER, Human Rights Officer, OHCHR PDF

Ms. Eva SALPLACHTOVA, Senior Officer, Ministry of Environment, Czechia PDF

Ms. Charlotta VON TROIL, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Environment, Finland PDF

Ms. Nolwenn PILLANT, Legal Adviser, Ministry for Ecological Transition, France PDF

Mr. Roberto RANDO, Senior Complaints Officer, European Investment Bank PDF

Mr. Tom WITSCHAS, European ECO Forum/ UfU PDF

Mr. Yolbars KEPBANOV, Aarhus Centre of Turkmenistan PDF

(b) Access to justice in cases related to biodiversity protection

Ms. Inonge KWENDA MWEENE, Legal Officer, UNEP secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity PDF

Ms. Petra SOWA-JANOVSKY, Legal Specialist, Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, Austria PDF

Mr. Guillaume FUTHAZAR, Associated Researcher, CERIC PDF

Mr. Faustino GUDIN, Judge/Professor, European Forum of Judges for the Environment PDF

Ms. Ruzanna GHAZARYAN, European ECO Forum / DALMA-SONA Foundation PDF

Ms. Charlotta VON TROIL, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Environment, Finland PDF

Ms. Julia THIBORD, European ECO Forum / POLLINIS PDF

Ms. Alison HOUGH, European ECO Forum / EJNI

Ms. Natasa DOKOVSKA, European ECO Forum / Journalists for Human Rights PDF

Mr. Bernardino DOS SANTOS, European ECO Forum / GDVR PDF

UK Centre for Animal Law and Compassion in World Farming PDF

 
Item 3: Access to justice in energy-related cases
(a) Experience of Parties and stakeholders

Mr. Adam Daniel NAGY, Legal and Policy Officer, DG Environment, European Commission PDF

Mr. Alexandros KASSAPIS, European ECO Forum / Youth and Environment Europe PDF

Ms. Margarida MARTINS, European ECO Forum / EEB PDF

Written statement by Khazer ENG RUS

 
Item 4: Stocktaking of recent and upcoming developments.
(a) Report on the survey outcomes

Ms. Natalia GURANDA, Executive Director, Aarhus Centre of the Republic of Moldova PDF

Written statement by ELUK, PDF

Ms. Zsuzsanna BELENYESSY, Legal Officer, DG Environment, European Commission PDF

Ms. Alison HOUGH, European ECO Forum / EJNI PDF

Item 5: Tools to promote effective access to justice.
(a) access to independent environmental expertise

Ms. Natalia KOBYLARZ, Senior Lawyer, Registry, European Court of Human Rights PDF

Ms. Sascha Dalen GILHUIJS, Director, STAB, Netherlands PDF

Ms. Tina JANIATOVIC, Senior Legal Adviser, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Serbia PDF

Ms. Magdolna TÓTHNÉ NAGY, European ECO Forum/ Guta Association PDF

(b) dissemination of information on access to review procedures, collection of relevant data and statistics and access to relevant case law using e-justice initiatives, modern digital technologies and other tools

Mr. Marcus LIVIO, Judge, National High Court, Brazil PDF

Ms. Olya MELEN-ZABRAMNA, European ECO Forum / Environment-People-Law PDF

(c) multi-stakeholder dialogues to remove existing barriers

Ms. Mari CHAKRYAN, Legal Advisor, Ministry of Environment, Armenia PDF

Ms. Emma PAGLIARUSCO, European ECO Forum / Youth and Environment Europe PDF