The substantive right to environment and the procedural environmental rights under the Aarhus Convention – Part I
Jerzy Jendrośka
Uniwersytet OpolskiAbstract
The current article provides Part I of the article which aims at examining the mutual relations between substantive and procedural environmental rights against the background of the typology of the substantive rights to the environment and challenges encountered when designing the right to a healthy environment. Part I provides the background analysis in this respect. It presents the origins of the term “right to environment” and various approaches to its meaning, in particular differences between the “right to have access to natural environment” and the “right to a healthy environment”. This is followed by presenting two possible approaches to the meaning of the term “right to a healthy environment” and their consequences. On this basis the article shows the three main methods of addressing concerns regarding environmental quality within human rights system and the relation between anthropocentric and ecocentric approach. Following this, the article presents the main challenges encountered when creating “right to a healthy environment”, in particular the issue of fitting this right into the existing system of protecting human rights and limitations related to “greening” of other human rights. Finally the current article provides a short overview of the the development of the respective legal provisions regarding environmental rights, including both human rights and Rights of Nature. Part I is concluded with some comments regarding the trend towards developing procedural environmental rights and expectations towards the UNECE Aarhus Convention and its role in protecting substantive environmental rights and participatory democracy – which is the link to Part II which addresses these issues in detail and concludes that access to justice provisions under the Aarhus Convention neither provide sufficient means to protect environmental rights nor – in light of the various conceptual roots of the Convention - should be treated as having only such a role.
Keywords:
prawo do środowiska, „zazielenianie” praw człowieka, ochrona praw podmiotowych, Konwencja z Aarhus, uprawnienia proceduralneReferences
CEP Report 1996 - The report of the special session 17 January 1996 ece/cep/18, Annex I
Google Scholar
Draft elements for the convention on access to environmental information and public participation in environmental decision-making (cep/ac.3/R.1) available at http://www.unece.org/env/pp/adwg.html
Google Scholar
European Governance. A White Paper, COM(2001) 428, available at https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/DOC_01_10
Google Scholar
Individualrecht oder Verpflichtung des Staates?Jnternationales Beitrage zum Umweltgestaltung, Heft A-41, E.Schmidt Verlag Berlin 1976QA
Google Scholar
Case X v. Federal Republic of Germany (dec) no 7407/76 , 13.5. 1976
Google Scholar
Case López Ostra v. Spain judgment of 9 December 1994, Series A no. 303-C, para 51
Google Scholar
Hatton Case Hatton and others v. the United Kingdom [GC], no 36022/97, 8.7.2003, para 96
Google Scholar
ECtHR judgment of 22.5.2003, 41666/98, Kyrtatos v. Greece
Google Scholar
ACCC/C/2008/31, Germany, ECE/MP.PP/C.1/2014/8, para. 94
Google Scholar
Bandi, Guyla, 2014, Right to Environment – Procedural Guarantees. In: Environmental Democracy and Law, G.Bandi (ed.) , Europa Law 2014,
Google Scholar
Aarhus Implementation Guide 2000 - S. Stec, S. and S. Casey-Lefkowitz, with J. Jendrośka, The Aarhus Convention: An Implementation Guide, United Nations, 1st ed., 2000
Google Scholar
Aarhus Implementation Guide 2014 -J. Ebbesson, H. Gaugitsch, J.Jendrośka, S. Stec and F. Marshall, The Aarhus Convention. An Implementation Guide, second edition, United Nations 2014,
Google Scholar
Barrit, Emily, 2020, The Foundations of the Aarhus Convention, Hart Publishing 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9781509915293
Google Scholar
Betaille, Julien, 2019, Rights of Nature: Why it Might Not Save the Entire World’, Journal for European Environmental and Planning Law 16 (2019)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/18760104-01601004
Google Scholar
Boyd, David, 2020, Introductory presentation to the Hight-level Conference on Environmental Protection and Human Rights, Council of Europe, 27 II 2020
Google Scholar
Boyle, Allan, 2006, Human Rights or Environmental Rights? A Reassessment, Fordham Environmental Law Review, Vol. 18 No 3, 2006.
Google Scholar
Brady, Kathy, 1998, New Convention on Access to Information and Public Participation in Environmental Matters, Environmental Policy and Law, 28/(1998
Google Scholar
Burdon, Peter and Williams,Claire, 2022, Rights of nature: a critique. In: Research Handbook of Fundamental Concepts of Environmental Law, D. Fisher (ed), Edward Elgar, 2nd. ed. 2022,
Google Scholar
Calderon Gamboa, Jorge, 2020, Inter-American approaches to the right to a healthy environment and the rights of nature. In: Human Rights for the Planet, Proceedings of the High-Level International Conference on Human Rights and Environmental Protection , Strasbourg, 5 October 2020
Google Scholar
Carducci et al, 2019, Towards an EU Charter of the Fundamental Rights of Nature, European Economic and Social Committee, available at: https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/publications-other-work/publications/towards-eu-charter-fundamental-rights-nature
Google Scholar
de Sadeleer, Nicolas, 2012, Enforcing EUCHR Principles and Fundamental Rights in Environmental Cases, Nordic Journal of International Law 2012, Nr 81
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/157181011X618758
Google Scholar
de Sadeleer Nicolas, Roller Gerhard and Dross Miriam, 2005 , Access to justice in environmental matters and the role of ngos; empirical findings and legal appraisal, 1st ed. Groningen (Europa LawPublishing) 2005
Google Scholar
du Plessis, Willemien, 2012, The balance of sustainability interests from the perspective of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. In :M. Faure, W. du Plessis (eds.), The balancing of interests in environmental law in Africa, Pretoria, 2012
Google Scholar
Eckel, Jan and Moyn, Samuel , 2014, The Breakthrough: Human Rights in the 1970s, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014,
DOI: https://doi.org/10.9783/9780812208719
Google Scholar
Darpo, Jan 2021, Can Nature Get it Right. A Study on Rights of Nature in the European Context, European Parliament,2021 (available at http://www.europarl.europa.
Google Scholar
eu/supporting-analyses)
Google Scholar
Epstein Yaffa and Schoukens, Hendrik, 2021, A Positivist Approach to Rights of Nature in the European Union. Journal of Human Rights and the Environment. (2021).12. 1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/jhre.2021.02.03
Google Scholar
Ermacora, Florian, 2003, The Right to a Clean Environment in the Constitution of the European Union. In: The European Convention and the Future of European Environmental Law, J Jans (ed.), Groningen, 2003,
Google Scholar
Giunta, Adriana, 2017, Can an Ecocentric Approach Open New Frontiers for a Legally Binding International Environmental Right? A Study of Norway’s Environmental Constitutional Right (in:) New Frontiers in Environmental Constitutionalism, UNEP 2017,
Google Scholar
Gormley, Paul, 1976, Human Rights and Environment - the Need for International Co-operation, Leyden 1976,
Google Scholar
Grand, Ewadne, 2017, Judicial implementation of rights based approaches to environmental governance: Regional perspectives. In: New Frontiers in Environmental Constitutionalism, UNEP 2017
Google Scholar
Hernekamp, Karl, 1979, Soziale Grundrechte, Aktuelle Dokumente, ed, K. Hernekamp, Berlin-New York, 1979
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110888713
Google Scholar
Habuda, Adam, 2019,The right to the Environment in the Republic of Poland, Studia Prawnoustrojowe UWM no 44,
Google Scholar
Hallo, 1996, Ralph , Access to environmental information in Europe, Kluver 1996
Google Scholar
Jendrośka, Jerzy, 1990, Z rozważań nad znaczeniem pojęcia „obywatelskie prawo do środowiska” Acta Universitatis Wratislaviensis, Prawo CLXVIII, 1990, s. 93-101 (Thoughts on the meaning of „citizens right to environment”), Acta Universitatis Wratislaviensis, Prawo CLXVIII, 1990,
Google Scholar
Jendrośka, Jerzy, 2005-1, Aarhus Convention and Community Law: the Interplay (in:) Journal for European Environmental & Planning Law, 1/2005,
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/187601005X00570
Google Scholar
Jendrośka, Jerzy 2005-2, Public Information and Participation in EC Environmental Law; Origins, Milestones and Trends. In: Reflections on 30 Years of EU Environmental Law; A High Level of Protection?, R. Macrory (ed.), Europa Law Publishing, Groningen, 2005
Google Scholar
Jendrośka, Jerzy, 2012. Citizen’s Rights in European Environmental Law: Stock-Taking of Key Challenges and Current Developments in Relation to Public Access to Information, Participation and Access to Justice, Journal for European Environmental & Planning Law Vol. 9 (2012) No. 1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/187601012X632265
Google Scholar
Jendrośka, Jerzy, 2020-1 , Access to Justice in the Aarhus Convention – Genesis, Legislative History and Overview of the Main Interpretation Dilemmas, Journal for European Environmental & Planning Law Vol. 17 (2020) ,
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/18760104-01704003
Google Scholar
Jendrośka Jerzy and Anapianova Alina, 2023, Towards a Green Energy Transition: REPowerEU Directive vs Environmental Acquis., ELNI Review 2023, Vol 23 available at https://doi.org/10.46850/elni.2023.001
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46850/elni.2023.001
Google Scholar
Jendrośka, Jerzy and Longi, Maria, 1998, Environmental Protection and the New Polish Constitution, ELNI Newsletter, No2/1998,
Google Scholar
Jendrośka, Jerzy and Stec, Stephen, 2001, The Aarhus Convention: Towards a New Era in Environmental Democracy, Environmental Liability, (2001) Vol 9, Issue 3
Google Scholar
Knox John, 2017, The United Nations Mandate on Human Rights and the Environment. In: New Frontiers in Environmental Constitutionalism, UNEP, May 2017,
Google Scholar
Knox, John ,2020, Constructing the Human Right to a Healthy Environment, Annual Review of Law and Social Science, 2020, Vol 16:1,
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-lawsocsci-031720-074856
Google Scholar
Kobol-Benda, Vivien, 2022, The current status of the right to the environment at the global level, Opole Studies in Administration and Law (OSAP) Volume 19 Issue 4 June 2022,
Google Scholar
Kobylarz, Natalia, 2020, Overview of environmental case-law of the ECtHR, in: Human Rights for the Planet, Proceedings of the High-Level International Conference on Human Rights and Environmental Protection , Strasbourg, 5 October 2020 p 20, available at https://www.coe.int/en/web/human-rights-rule-of-law/human-rights-and-the-environment
Google Scholar
Kotzé, Luis, 2019, International Environmental Law’s Lack of Normative Ambition: an Opportunity for the Global Pact for the Environment?, Journal for European Environmental & Planning Law, Volume 16 (2019)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/18760104-01603002
Google Scholar
Krämer, Ludwig, 2012, EU Environmental Law, Sweet & Maxwell, 2012
Google Scholar
Krämer, Ludwig, 2020 r, Rights of Nature and Their Implementation, 17 Journal for European Environmental & Planning Law , Volume 17 (2020)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/18760104-01701005
Google Scholar
Kurki ,Visa, 2022, Can Nature Hold Rights? It’s Not as Easy as You Think, Transnational Environmental Law, 11:3 (2022), p 525
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S2047102522000358
Google Scholar
Ladeur,Karl-Heinz, 1996, Environmental Constitutional Law. In: European Environmental Law. A Comparative Perspective, G.Winter(ed) ,Dartmouth Publ, 1996
Google Scholar
Lambert, Elisabeth, The Environment and Human Rights. Introductory Report to the High-Level Conference Environmental Protection and Human Rights, Strasbourg, 27 February 2020, p 16, available at https://rm.coe.int/report-e-lambert-en/16809c827f
Google Scholar
Lawrysen, Luc, 2009 An Introduction to the Aarhus Convention, paper presented at International Conference on the Practical Implementation of the Aarhus Convention, Brno, 16-17 April 2009, p 1, available at https://www.eufje.org/images/DocAarhus/Brno%202009%20Lavrysen.pdf
Google Scholar
Lavrysen, Luc. 2010 “The Aarhus Convention: Between Environmental Protection and Human Rights.” Liège, Strasbourg, Bruxelles: Parcours Des Droits de l’homme., Anthemis, 2010,
Google Scholar
Lawrysen, Luc, 2012 -1 The Fundamental Right to the Protection of a Healthy Environment, in: Advancing Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability, UNEP 2012,
Google Scholar
https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/9969/advancing_justice_governance_law.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Google Scholar
Lawrysen,,Luc, 2012-2, The Right to the Protection of a Healthy Environment, Proceedings. World Congress on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability – Rio de
Google Scholar
Janeiro 17-20 June 2012, p 2, available at https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/2917157
Google Scholar
Lawrysen, Luc and Theunis, Jan, 2007, The Right to the Protection of a Healthy Environment in the Belgian Constitution: retrospect and international perspective (in: ) Constitutional rights to an ecologically balanced environment, I. Larmuseau (ed), V.VO.R 2007
Google Scholar
Lozano, Carlos, 2023, Animal Rights in Colombia: A Critique from an Environmental Perspective, Revista Derecho del Estado n.º 54, enero-abril de 2023
Google Scholar
Pedersen, Olle, 2008, European Environmental Human Rights and Environmental Rights: A Long Time Coming?, 21 The Geo. Int'l Envtl. L.Rev 2008, Nr 73,
Google Scholar
Pedersen, Olle, 2010, The Ties that Bind: The Environment, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Rule of Law, European Public Law 2010, Vol. 16, Nr 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54648/EURO2010040
Google Scholar
Manual on Human Rights and the Environment, Council of Europe, 3rd edition, 2022
Google Scholar
Morrow, Karen, 2017, New Frontiers:Europe, Human Rights and the Environment In: New Frontiers in Environmental Constitutionalism, UNEP, May 2017
Google Scholar
Pallemaerts , marc, 2011, Introduction . In: The Aarhus convention at Ten: Interactions and Tensions between
Google Scholar
Conventional International Law and EU Environmental Law, Pallemaerts, M. (ed.), Europa Law Publishing, Groningen, 2011
Google Scholar
Pediaditaki, Tonia, 2007,The right to the protection of the environment in the Greek Constitution. In: Constitutional rights to an ecologically balanced environment, I. Larmuseau (ed), V.VO.R 2007,
Google Scholar
Rivero Godoy, Juan, 2017, The relationship between environmental and human rights protection under regional law in Latin America. In: New Frontiers in Environmental Constitutionalism. UNEP 2017
Google Scholar
Sands, Philippe, 1995, Principles of International Environmental Law, Manchester University Press, 1995
Google Scholar
Sands, Philippe,2012, Principles of International Environmental Law, 2nd edition, Cambridge University Press, 2012
Google Scholar
Schoukens, Hendrik, 2020, Rights of Nature in the European Union: Contemplating the Operationalization of an Eco-Centric Concept in an Anthropocentric Environment? In: Non-Human Nature in World Politics. Theory and Practice, J. Castro Pereira and A. Saramago (eds), Springer 2020,
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49496-4_11
Google Scholar
Sohn, Luis, 1973, The Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment, Harward International Law Journal, Volume 14, No3, Summer 1973,
Google Scholar
Steiger at al,1980, Steiger, B. Demel, H. G. Fey, P. Malanczuk, The Fundamental Right to a Decent Environment. In: Trends in Environmental Law and Policy, ed. by M. Bothe, Gland 1980
Google Scholar
Stone, Christopher, 1972, Should Trees Have Standing. Toward Legal Right for Natural Objects, Southern California Law Review 1972, No. 45
Google Scholar
Sunkin Maurice, Ong, David and Wight, Robert, 2002, Sourcebook on Environmental Laws, 2nd edition, Cavendish, London 2002 ,
Google Scholar
Vasak, Karel, 1977, A 30-year struggle; the sustained efforts to give force of law to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UNESCO Courier: a window open on the world November 1977,
Google Scholar
Vallejo Galárraga , Santiago, 2018, Recognition of Rights of Nature, as a Subject of Law, in the International Environmental Law Framework. In: J.Jendrośka and M. Bar (eds)
Google Scholar
Procedural Environmental Rights: Principle X in Theory and Practice (Intersentia, 2018)
Google Scholar
Villavicencio Calzadilla, Paola and Kotzé, Louis, Environmental constitutionalism and the ecocentric rights paradigm: the rights of nature in Ecuador and Bolivia. In: New Frontiers in Environmental Constitutionalism, UNEP, May 2017
Google Scholar
Authors
Jerzy JendrośkaStatistics
Downloads
License
Copyright (c) 2024 The Opole Studies in Administration and Law
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Author’s economic rights to published works are held by Opole University (collective works) and individual Authors (individual parts of the collective work, ones that form a separate entity).
The journal Opole Studies in Administration and Law accepts for publication only works which have not been in circulation before.
On the basis of the Regulation (2016/679) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (referred to as General Data Protection Regulation or RODO) Opole University, based at 11a Plac Kopernika, 45-040 Opole, is the personal data controller for all the authors publishing their works in the Opole Studies in Administration and Law.
The articles published in Opole Studies in Administration and Law are available under a licence Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
For aricles till 2017 your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation – see:
Ustawa z dnia 4 lutego 1994 r. o prawie autorskim i prawach pokrewnych
Read more about the license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
View Legal Code:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Jerzy Jendrośka, Moritz REESE, Lorenzo SQUINTANI, Towards a new legal framework for sustainability under the European Green Deal , The Opole Studies in Administration and Law: Vol. 19 No. 2 (2021)
- Magdalena Bar, Jerzy Jendrośka, Dr Jan Jerzmański (1957-2021) , The Opole Studies in Administration and Law: Vol. 19 No. 2 (2021)
- Jerzy Jendrośka, The substantive right to environment and the procedural environmental rights under the Aarhus Convention – Part II , The Opole Studies in Administration and Law: Vol. 22 No. 2 (2024): The Opole Studies in Administration and Law
