Access to Justice (A2J – EARL)

Background

EU environmental law is well developed and now very complex, but a large gap between regulation and implementation in the member states is evident. The convincing political and legal framework does not lead to the desired results because it is not properly implemented. Experience in the member states has shown that it is not enough to leave the implementation deficits to the public administration alone. Active citizens, either acting alone or in a non-governmental organization, can significantly support these efforts by the authorities. There are many ways in which “civil enforcement” of EU environmental law could be carried out. However, to be truly effective, it must include and directly address access to judicial review.

Goals

The LIFE-A2J-EARL project aims to improve the implementation and enforcement of EU environmental law by providing the public with more effective access to justice, e.g. through administrative and judicial review, complaints procedures and other instances. Access to justice is a fundamental tool that citizens and non-governmental organizations can use to support the implementation and enforcement of laws and policies to protect the environment. To achieve this long-term goal, the project aims to:

• Increase awareness of existing laws and case law on access to justice in environmental matters for specific target groups – the judiciary, public administration and environmental lawyers.
• Increase understanding of the importance of adequate access to justice for the implementation of EU environmental policy and law
• Increase understanding of specific challenges and barriers to access to justice in environmental matters at national and European level
• Build knowledge and skills to overcome legal (substantive and procedural) barriers to effective access to justice on environmental issues

Expected results

At least 6400 people should have access to at least one of the following materials, which will be produced in the course of the project.

• Handbook on access to justice, EU procedural rules and case law and corresponding rules and case law under the Aarhus Convention
• National toolkits for access to justice in eight member states
• Digital information platform
• Database of environmental lawyers dealing with access to justice in environmental matters

An “Ask a lawyer” function will be set up on the information platform, which will be used to provide at least 120 people with answers to specific questions on access to justice. At least 1,000 people will be trained in a total of 48 workshops and seminars in the eight member states and twelve webinars on the topic of access to justice. In addition, around 120 people will share their knowledge and experiences at a conference in Brussels. After the project, 80 percent of the target groups who have accessed project materials or attended events as part of the project should have a better understanding of the challenges and hurdles of access to justice in environmental matters.

Access to justice in environmental matters in Germany – Toolkit

Further information (in English)