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Thomas ALGE Justice & Environment OEKOBUERO 29 June 2010, Geneva

Application of Almaty guidelines in Austria. Thomas ALGE Justice & Environment OEKOBUERO 29 June 2010, Geneva. Overview. Introduction of PPIF project Findings as to Austrian application Recommendations to improve situation. Justice and Environment (J&E)

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Thomas ALGE Justice & Environment OEKOBUERO 29 June 2010, Geneva

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  1. Application of Almaty guidelines in Austria Thomas ALGE Justice & Environment OEKOBUERO 29 June 2010, Geneva

  2. Overview • Introduction of PPIF project • Findings as to Austrian application • Recommendations to improve situation

  3. 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

  4. The „PPIF-project“ • Objectives • Assessment of Austrian PPIF practice • Raise awareness on Almaty guidelines • DevelopAustrian PPIF recommendations Funded by the Austrian Aarhus focal point (MoE) July to December 2009

  5. The „PPIF-project“ • Methodology • Interviews with various Austrian focal points (MoE and Foreign Affairs) • Interviews with Austrian NGOs • Climate, Biodiversity, CITES, Cartagena, Whaling, Alpine, Nuclear, general environmental matters

  6. 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

  7. 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)

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Findings: Participation • The NGO's views • Intensity of PP varies widely • National delegation status preferable (e.g as to information flow and access) • Sometimes qualified observer status preferable • Early participation is crucial, only at conference too late • Strong influence from industry stakeholders

  11. Findings: Participation • NGO in national delegation? • Threats • Selection process? • Emotional debates • NGOs can not act as NGO.. (qualified observer preferable?.. Opportunities • Information flow and access • Enriched debate • Confidence building

  12. Findings: Participation • Financial support • No rules, practice varies • In most cases support of one NGO • Limited financial resources of national delegation • No formalized procedure, but wanted from NGOs

  13. Findings: Participation • Financial support • No rules, practice varies • In most cases support of one NGO • Limited financial resources of national delegation • No formalized procedure, but wanted from NGOs

  14. 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-coordination • NGOs: Provide relevant information to government: No one-way street

  15. 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 delegations • Financial support for NGOs

  16. 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/sectors • Bottom up: Open approach by national delegations • Top down: Influence statutes and secretariats

  17. Contact thomas.alge@oekobuero.at www.justiceandenvironment.org www.oekobuero.at www.participate.org

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