Understanding The Access Initiative Methodology

What is the TAI methodology? A set of research guidelines and questions allowing you to assess your government’s systems for transparency, participation, and accountability in decisions that affect the environment.

How was the methodology developed? : Drafted by TAI Core Team : Drafted by TAI Core Team : Pilot tested in assessments by nine original partners : Pilot tested in assessments by nine original partners : Revised by Core Team : Revised by Core Team 2003: Published in CD-ROM form 2003: Published in CD-ROM form : Developing access to justice; CD-ROM used in new assessments : Developing access to justice; CD-ROM used in new assessments 2006: Release TAI Version : Release TAI Version 2.0

What does the methodology measure? Law – through indicators focusing on constitutional and other national law, such as statutes or judicial decisions Law – through indicators focusing on constitutional and other national law, such as statutes or judicial decisions Practice – through indicators focusing on case studies from different sectors Practice – through indicators focusing on case studies from different sectors

Assessment Methodology The categories 1.Access to Information 2.Participation 3.Access to Justice 4.Capacity Building The approach – Law – Practice The indicators – Regularity – Timeliness – Inclusion – Quality

The Use of TAI Indicators and Process Measuring Progress – Establish current progress – Monitor progress over time – Generate reports Engaging stakeholders – National level – International networks Taking action – Identify gaps – Set priorities – Address priorities

Structure of the Methodology Categories: I. Access to Information II. Participation III. Access to Justice IV. Capacity Building

Ver2.0 framework Access to Info Public Participation Access to Justice CapacityBuilding Law Effort Effectiveness

Case Studies: I. Access to Information - 8 II. Participation - 6 III. Access to Justice - 4 TOTAL MINIMUM - 18 TOTAL MINIMUM - 18

Case Types Information Environmental emergency cases Environmental emergency cases Air quality monitoring cases Air quality monitoring cases Water quality monitoring cases Water quality monitoring cases Industrial facility compliance cases Industrial facility compliance cases State of environment report cases State of environment report cases Other Other

Case Types Participation Policy-making (includes, law, plan, strategy) cases Regulatory cases Project-level cases Other

Case Types Justice Cases related to… Denial of rights to information Denial of rights to participation Environmental harm Non-compliance Other

CBA2JA2I LAW EFFORT EFFECTIVENESS PP What happened to Capacity Building? Law Indicators A2I Effort/Effectiveness PP Effort/Effectiveness A2J Effort/Effectiveness Capacity-building

Indicators Law Questions about the presence and quality of the legal framework Questions about the presence and quality of the legal frameworkPractice Questions about the presence, timing, ease, regularity and scope of practice Questions about the presence, timing, ease, regularity and scope of practice Similar questions about practice in providing different types of information or participation in different decisions Similar questions about practice in providing different types of information or participation in different decisions

Indicator Worksheets Print out worksheets to view data or take notes in the field Print out worksheets to view data or take notes in the field