Aarhussáttmálanum

The Aarhussáttmálinum, often translated as the Aarhus Convention, is an international treaty adopted in Aarhus, Denmark, on June 25, 1998. It entered into force on October 30, 2001. The convention aims to promote greater participation by the public in decisions concerning the environment and to ensure that the public has access to information and the possibility to challenge environmental decisions. It is legally binding for its signatories.

The Aarhus Convention is built upon three pillars: access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters. It requires parties to make environmental information available to the public, facilitate public involvement in the preparation of plans and programs relating to the environment, and provide for access to administrative and judicial procedures for challenging acts or omissions that contravene environmental law.

The convention is considered a landmark agreement in the field of environmental democracy. It recognizes that when the public has access to information and can participate in decision-making processes, environmental outcomes are generally improved. The convention has been ratified by numerous countries and the European Union. Its implementation is monitored by a compliance committee.