Environmental Protection and Citizen Participation
The Opportunities and Limitations of the Aarhus Convention
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Environmental protection is not a priority in Ukraine. But Ukraine has signed the Aarhus Convention and committed itself to granting citizens access to environmental information and participation in licensing proceedings. Environmental law was reformed. In practice, however, there are shortcomings. This is seen in the construction of the Bystroe Channel, which threatens to harm the biosphere reserve Danube Delta. Here the Ukrainian government is ignoring the Aarhus Convention. There is a lack of administrative capacity and political will. A change of mentality is needed among those responsible holding political and administrative office.
(Osteuropa 2-4/2010, pp. 309–318)