Global Access To Environmental Information - Joseph Foti

Global Access to Environmental Information Joseph Foti, World Resources Institute April 1, 2009 TRI National Training Conference

2002 - WSSD Origins Plan of Implementation

1992 – Rio Declaration

The Access Initiative Network

45 completed assessments 45+ active countries

Our Model of Influence

TAI assessments

Advocacy tools

CSOs

Governments and Int’l Institutions

Close gaps in access law, institutions and practices

The TAI Method Law Constitutional rights Framework laws (FOIA, APA, EIA Law, etc.)

Information

Participation

Justice

Air & H2O Quality

EIA

Denial of Info

SoE Reports

Permitting

Denial of Part

Facility-level

Rulemaking

Env Harm Non-compliance

Emergencies Law Effort Effectiveness

Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers

Claims of confidentiality regarding pollutant release and transfer (42)

Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers

Production of Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers or equivalent (43)

Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers

Pollutant Release and Transfer Register reports available on the Internet (36)

Pollutant Rel

available on 

Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers

Quality of information accessible to public in Pollutant Release and Transfer Register reports (15)

Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers

Timeliness of Pollutant Release and Transfer Register data (29)

Lessons Weak TRI Laws Some exceptions Enforcement is weak What can we do to promote such programs abroad?

II. Access to Information and Communities

Poverty – Access Pilot Assessments

Cameroon Nicaragua

Sri Lanka Paraguay

Philippines

Four Principles Ensure that basic structures are in place Mechanisms should enable uptake

Information Systems

Pull

Push

Practice

Specific Proactive Laws

General Reactive Laws

Complete Information Systems

Four Principles Ensure that basic structures are in place Mechanisms should enable uptake Lower transaction costs Build public and intermediary capacity

Intermediary Organizations Government

Intermediaries Public

Biak-na-Bato National Park

Four Principles and the US Ensure that basic structures are in place Mechanisms should enable uptake Lower transaction costs Build public and intermediary capacity is key

A Vision... EPA and its governmental partners will work to grow the capacities of local organizations to use the TRI information. The EPA will build partnerships with intermediary organizations to ensure that information reaches all communities. The communities at the greatest risk of toxic exposure will have the information that they need with regard to toxics, risk, official processes and procedures in order work to keep the communities clean and healthy.