Thomas ALGE Justice & Environment OEKOBUERO 29 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 practice Raise awareness on Almaty guidelines Develop 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 NGOs Climate, 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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