1. Dr Sean Whittaker University of Dundee 3-5 April 2019
Uncovering the Environment: The Use of Public Access to Environmental Information
Dr Sean Whittaker
University of Dundee
3-5 April 2019

2. Legislative Framework
Aarhus Convention
EU Directive 2003/4/EC
Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004

3. Right of Access to Environmental Information
Primary aims of the right
Promoting public participation
Transparency and accountability
Are these aims achieved in practice?

4. Project Methodology Qualitative analysis of requests
Data sourced from the Scottish Information Commissioner, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Surveys and interviews with members of the public and public authorities

5. Emerging Findings – Users
Motives for using the right
Are they environmental in nature?
An abuse of the system?
Participative aims of the right v. self-interest of the users

6. Emerging Findings – Proactive Disclosure
The use of proactively disclosed environmental information
Websites, datasets and accessibility
The right is viewed (wrongly) as predominantly request-driven
Do users view themselves as users?

7. Broader Questions – Use of the Right in Practice
Motives do not necessarily impact on how disclosed environmental information is used
Users see limited opportunities to participate in and influence the decisions of Scottish public authorities

8. Broader Questions – Use of the Right in Practice
Technological innovations and how the right to environmental information is used
Impact of the request-driven view of the right

9. 1990 1998 EU Directive 90/313 The Aarhus Convention Nokia Cityman 100
Copyright Nokia Collection
Copyright Nokia Collection
1990
EU Directive 90/313
Nokia Cityman 100
1998
The Aarhus Convention
Nokia 5110

10. Broader Questions – Use of the Right in Practice
Technological innovations and how the right to environmental information is used
Impact of the request-driven view of the right

11. https://sites.dundee.ac.uk/envinfo/
Conclusion
Project Team: Professor Colin Reid ESRC: ES/P010067/1
Dr Jonathan Mendel
Dr Sean Whittaker