A SEAT AT THE TABLE Including the Poor in Decisions for Development and Environment

Illiterate

No Access

Costly

Risky

No Documentation

Taboo

Communicate: right form and channel Reduce Costs

Rights Equality Ability Extra Rights

Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration Environmental issues are best handled with participation of all concerned individuals, at the relevant level. At the national level, each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities… and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. States shall facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available. Effective access to justice and administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy, shall be provided. Environmental issues are best handled with participation of all concerned individuals, at the relevant level. At the national level, each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities… and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. States shall facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available. Effective access to justice and administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy, shall be provided.

The Access Initiative 2010

Cases studied

Findings: Barriers Lack of legal thresholds for engagement Literacy Access to communication channels Cost Exposure to risk Who has a voice?

Policy Responses Establish thresholds for enhanced access Use the appropriate form Use appropriate channels Reduce costs Make the voice of the poor influential

A Country-Specific Approach 4 StepsExample country Establishing general rightsCameroon, Sri Lanka, Paraguay Ensuring fair implementationPhilippines Ensuring equal ability to use rightsUSA Creating additional rights(?)

Can the U.S. serve as an example?

Environmental Justice in the US: The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies..

Massachusetts: EJ Populations are those segments of the population that the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs has determined to be most at risk of being unaware of or unable to participate in environmental decision-making or to gain access to state environmental resources. Massachusetts: EJ Populations are those segments of the population that the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs has determined to be most at risk of being unaware of or unable to participate in environmental decision-making or to gain access to state environmental resources.

Where are we a good model? Communicating through appropriate channels Lowering the costs of participation Broadening the reach of environmental justice processes