Thomas ALGEJustice & Environment

OEKOBUERO29 June 2010, Geneva

Application of Almaty guidelines in Austria

Overview

1.Introduction of PPIF project

1.Findings as to Austrian application

1.Recommendations to improve situation

Justice and Environment (J&E) European Network-NGO with 12 member

organizations from 12 EU and SEE countries

Implementation of Environmental Law Legal support and litigation for the public

concerned Legal studies and policy recommendations

OEKOBUERO – Coordination Office of Austrian Environmental organizations

15 Austrian member organizations including

FoE Austria, Greenpeace CEE, WWF Austria Focus on Environmental Law and public

participation Member of J&E, EEB and European ECO-

Forum

The „PPIF-project“

Objectives

Assessment of Austrian PPIF practiceRaise awareness on Almaty guidelinesDevelop Austrian PPIF

recommendations

Funded by the Austrian Aarhus focal point (MoE)

July to December 2009

The „PPIF-project“

Methodology

Interviews with various Austrian focal points (MoE and Foreign Affairs)

Interviews with Austrian NGOsClimate, Biodiversity, CITES, Cartagena,

Whaling, Alpine, Nuclear, general environmental matters

The „PPIF-project“

Output Almaty-PPIF Info-Sheet Stakeholder workshop to present

results Recommendations for practitioners Distribution by newsletter Publication in Austrian env. science

journal

General findings Almaty guidelines not known, but Aarhus

Conv. PPIF practice acceptable Limited no of players (sectors concerned,

national vs international NGOs) NGOs, but not civil servants, favor

binding PPIF document Personal contact and sympathy crucial PPIF depends much on the subject matter

(e.g. biodiversity vs nuclear)

Findings: Information

Access to information Not seen as major obstacle, apart from EU

coordination Access to documents more important than

env. data Access through international web-fora

(e.g. CBD) Active distribution not standard (positiv:

Alpine Convention) Personal contact crucial No formalized procedure, ad hoc decisions Information exchange is no one-way street Refusal: reasoning requested

Findings: Participation

Government official's experience PP is seen as enriching Only specific NGOs interested, sometimes

hard to find any NGO Political pressure on negotiators and

emotional debates Impact of PP varies, depending on subject

matter No formalized procedure PP often in national decision making

procedure

Findings: Participation

The NGO's viewsIntensity of PP varies widelyNational delegation status preferable (e.g

as to information flow and access)Sometimes qualified observer status

preferableEarly participation is crucial, only at

conference too lateStrong influence from industry

stakeholders

Findings: Participation

NGO in national delegation?ThreatsSelection process?Emotional debatesNGOs can not act as NGO.. (qualified

observer preferable?..OpportunitiesInformation flow and accessEnriched debateConfidence building

Findings: Participation

Financial supportNo rules, practice variesIn most cases support of one NGOLimited financial resources of national

delegationNo formalized procedure, but wanted from

NGOs

Findings: Participation

Financial supportNo rules, practice variesIn most cases support of one NGOLimited financial resources of national

delegationNo formalized procedure, but wanted from

NGOs

Recommendations:Information

Early pro-active distribution of information (e.g newsletter, website, Alpine Convention)

Regular information on intersessional issues (e.g. briefings, info-rounds)

Basic information on website with links to international fora (e.g. MoE CITES)

Access to EU-coordinationNGOs: Provide relevant information to

government: No one-way street

Recommendations:Participation

Early Information as to upcoming events, issues

Institutionalization of PPIF (e.g. rules, guidelines)

Coordination meetings before and during international conferences

Include NGOs in national delegationsFinancial support for NGOs

Final remarks/ recommendations

Exchange experience with other state departments on PPIF

Mutual faith and reliance are essential for PPIF

Aim to „change culture“ in „closed“ international bodies/sectorsBottom up: Open approach by national

delegationsTop down: Influence statutes and

secretariats

Contact

thomas.alge@oekobuero.at

www.justiceandenvironment.orgwww.oekobuero.at

www.participate.org