Strengthening Access to Environmental Information: Aarhus Convention and Protocol on PRTRs Maryna Yanush Secretariat of the Aarhus Convention and Protocol on PRTRs Geneva 2 November 2012

Grounds Article 5, paras. 3 and 4, of the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters Recommendations on the more effective use of electronic information tools to provide public access to environmental information adopted through decision II/3 Decision IV/1 of the Convention’s Meeting of the Parties regarding access to information that provides mandate to the Task Force on Access to Information (first meeting on 7-8 Feb 2013) with the following tasks: – Identify capacity-building needs, barriers and solutions – Identify regional and subregional priorities for further work – Monitor and support the implementation of the recommendations in decision II/3 – Continue contributing to further development of the Aarhus Clearinghouse for Environmental Democracy and PRTR.net Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers

Areas Information sharing and promotion activities – at the political forums (e.g. Working Groups of the Parties to the Convention and Protocol and EEA Management Board) – at the relevant expert meetings (e.g. Task Force on Access to Information and EEA expert meetings) Capacity-building coordination – participation in capacity-building coordination meetings – cooperation within the concrete projects and events Using electronic information tools – Linking the Aarhus ClearingHouse and PRTR.net portal with the AOA Virtual Library and the EEA SERIES Strengthening cooperation of the national focal points for the Aarhus Convention, PRTR Protocol, WGEMA and EEA at the national level