sustainable development 20 years on from the ... - José Eli da Veiga

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Chapter III
INFORMATION FOR DECISION-MAKING, AND CIVIL SOCIETY, PRIVATE SECTOR AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
While the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development highlights the crucial role of States in
leading the transition to <strong>sustainable</strong> <strong>development</strong>, it also recognizes that the participation of all social
groups is key to achieving this objective. Principle 10 of the Declaration states that environmental issues,
a key component of <strong>sustainable</strong> <strong>development</strong>, are best handled with the participation of all citizens, and
that States shall facilitate and encourage public participation by making information widely available and
by ensuring effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings. Principles <strong>20</strong> to 22 of the
Declaration emphasize the importance of specific groups: women, youth and indigenous peoples and
communities. High-quality official information on the environment and tools for applying this to public
policy analysis are essential, both for a society to exercise its rights, remain informed and participate
actively in decision-making, and for the State to function effectively, in concert and consistently.
PRINCIPLES OF THE RIO DECLARATION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
10 Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens, at the relevant level.
At the national level, each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the
environment that is held by public authorities, including information on hazardous materials and activities in
their communities, and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. States shall facilitate
and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available. Effective access
to judicial and administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy, shall be provided.
<strong>20</strong> Women have a vital role in environmental management and <strong>development</strong>. Their full participation is
therefore essential to achieve <strong>sustainable</strong> <strong>development</strong>.
21 The creativity, ideals and courage of the youth of the world should be mobilized to forge a global
partnership in order to achieve <strong>sustainable</strong> <strong>development</strong> and ensure a better future for all.
22 Indigenous people and their communities and other local communities have a vital role in environmental
management and <strong>development</strong> because of their knowledge and traditional practices. States should recognize
and duly support their identity, culture and interests and enable their effective participation in the
achievement of <strong>sustainable</strong> <strong>development</strong>.
A. INFORMATION FOR DECISION-MAKING
Access to environmental information includes two key elements: first, the production of information on
the environment, and second, the right of citizens to gain access to information held by the public
authorities and consequently the obligation of Governments to make information easily accessible and
available to all. This section examines the first of these elements, looking at (i) statistics and indicators;
(ii) ways of measuring wealth and economic growth that take into account the state of the environment;
and (iii) technological progress and information.