1. Environmental Law Foundation Power Up Rights and Justice Friends of the Earth: 5-7 August 2005

2. What is ELF? The UK’s leading charity providing legal advice on environmental issues to all members of the public and community The UK’s leading charity providing legal advice on environmental issues to all members of the public and community 150 referral members 150 referral members 250 additional members 250 additional members A team of highly qualified volunteers A team of highly qualified volunteers

3. How does ELF help? Advice and Referrals Advice and Referrals Community Outreach Community Outreach Campaigns and Publications Campaigns and Publications

4. Who has ELF helped? …… in 2004-2005: > 1,000 enquiries > 250,000 people

5. What Types of Case?

6. Where does ELF help?

7. Who does ELF help?

8. Key Legislation  International: Aarhus Convention 1998: Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters – adopted in June 1998 (UNECE)  European: Directive 2003/4/EC on public access to environmental information  UK: Freedom of Information Act 2000  UK: Environmental Information Regulations 2004  Other: SEA, EIA, Planning etc

9. How to Take Action Be aware that there is help out there Be aware that there is help out there Start as soon as possible Start as soon as possible Ask for advice Ask for advice Understand the issues, your duties and rights Understand the issues, your duties and rights Link up with local people Link up with local people

10. Environmental Law Foundation … securing environmental and social justice for all….