Public access to information on the environment and environmental law implementation — the new legislation in practice

Abstract

Polish political and economical transformation, begun in 1989, has been creating a modern society, which aspires to become a member of the European Communities. However Polish democracy is still young and developing our state is becoming more and more citizen friendly every day. Completely new mechanisms and values have risen during last years. Freedoms of speech, thought, assembly and of course freedom of information has appeared there. Polish reality is becoming greener and greener every day. Ecological fashion is more and more popular regardless of political situation. Our European aspirations and signed international agreements and treaties have generated completely new legislative demands. Poland has some political commitments followed from Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development stressed that “environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens, at the relevant level” and The UN Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (“Aarhus Convention”). Relations between Poland and European Union specially declared in Articles 68 to 70 of the Europe Agreement have initiated process of approximating Polish legislation with the acquis communautaire. Regarding environmental information matters, adoption process concerns Council Directive 90/313/EEC on freedom of access to information on the environment.