Lack of Transparency in EU Environmental Legislative Process

The e-presentation focuses on (the lack of) transparency within the legislative process at the EU level. Access to information and transparency are analysed through the Aarhus Convention framework as one of the fundamental rights. Right to access to information held by public authorities is a pre-condition to participation in the decision-making process and to adoption of sound decisions in environmental matters. There is an increasing number of confidentiality-based restrictions, however, and access to documents is often refused. The presentation focuses on the conflict between confidentiality and transparency in the “shadow” and “trilogue” meetings between EU institutions. These meetings usually lead to a compromise on legislation but are also completely confidential. The speaker discusses the legitimacy of such meetings and the lack of transparency involved.