The Environmental Law Team of YEE participated in the 15th Task Force on Access to Justice, which took place in Geneva from 4 to 5 April 2023. During the meeting, Emma and Alex delivered their statements, contributing to the exchange of information and best practices regarding the implementation of the Aarhus Convention’s access to justice pillar.
The purpose of the meeting was to facilitate the exchange of information, experiences, and best practices related to the implementation of the Convention’s access to justice pillar. The focus of the meeting was on access to justice in cases concerning climate change and biodiversity protection, with discussions covering current trends, barriers, challenges, good practices, and innovative approaches in these areas.
Summary of Emma’s statement regarding the tools to promote Access to Justice
The latest IPCC report emphasizes that climate change will mainly impact children and young people, highlighting the need for long-term considerations and intergenerational equity in environmental legislation. Young people also face challenges in exercising their rights under the Aarhus Convention. The Aarhus Convention is important for environmental democracy, granting the public rights in environmental matters to protect the rights of present and future generations. Strengthening multi-stakeholder dialogue can ensure easier youth access to decision-making processes and hold institutions accountable.
Summary of Alex’s statement regarding Access to Justice in energy-related cases
Dependency on fossil fuel imports hampers energy independence and is finite, posing a threat to future generations. The Aarhus provisions play a crucial role in ensuring that energy supply in the EU has a positive impact on nature and communities. However, legislative proposals may impede access to justice in energy-related cases, prioritising renewable energy development over environmental protection and community engagement. The Aarhus rights, including access to justice, play a crucial role in promoting renewable energy, environmental protection, and public participation.
Learn more about the Aarhus Convention
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About the expert
Manolis Kotzampasakis (1994) is a lawyer, admitted to the Athens Bar Association in Greece, and a PhD candidate at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. He is also a visiting lecturer at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil. He holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Athens and an LL.M. degree in Energy and Climate Law (cum laude) from the University of Groningen. He has worked at law firms specializing in the areas of environmental, energy and health law, as well as at the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) committee of the European Parliament. He currently researches the law and economics dimensions of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping, with a focus on the inclusion of maritime transport in the EU Emissions Trading System. His previous research on EU and US carbon markets received the award for the Best Energy Law Master’s Thesis in the Netherlands (2017-2020) by the Dutch Energy Law Association.
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Our mission
YEE aims to unite environmental youth non-profit organisations in Europe in order to enhance international cooperation, increase knowledge about the climate crisis, raise awareness of environmental problems and to strengthen participation of youth in environmental decision-making.
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Supported by the Council of Europe through the European Youth Foundation.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
