CONFERENCE “Public participation in the nuclear sector” – The Espoo and Aarhus conventions

30 March 2017 – European Parliament Brussels

The Espoo convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary context lays down the obligation to assess the environmental impact of activities in the nuclear sector at an early stage of decision making. It also lays down the general obligation for parties to notify and consult each other on all major projects under consideration that are likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact across national borders.

The Aarhus Convention links human rights and environmental issues. The preamble of the Aarhus Convention states that: “In the field of environment, improved access to information and public participation in decision-making enhance the quality and the implementation of decisions…”.

In the context of the upcoming Meeting of Parties to the Espoo Convention in June 2017, the roundtable will analyze the legal provision of the two conventions and their implementation to cases of lifetime extension of nuclear units. The presentations and discussions on the case studies aim to map the progress since the last Meeting of Parties to the Espoo Convention and draw recommendations from civil society and MEPs prior to the Meeting of Parties in June this year.

 AGENDA

Introduction and state of play
Rebecca Harms, Green MEP

First Panel – Moderated by Rebecca Harms

Overview of Espoo and Aarhus conventions obligations in the nuclear sector
Dr. Doerte Fouquet, Becker Büttner Held
Her presentation:

The Espoo and Aarhus conventions and the EU and Euratom Treaties
Georges Kremlis, DG Envrionemnt, European Commission
His presentation:

 

Importance of public participation in decisions making in the nuclear domain
Jan Haverkamp, Greenpeace International/Nuclear Transparency Watch
His presentation :

Second Panel – Moderated by Bendek Javor

The lifetime extensions of nuclear units in Ukraine
Iryna Holovko, CEE Bankwatch Network, Ukraine
Her presentation :

The lifetime extensions of nuclear units in Belgium
Eloi Glorieux, Greenpeace Belgium
His presentation:

The lifetime extensions of nuclear units in Bulgaria
Petar Kardjilov, Green Party, Bulgaria
His presentation

Concluding remarks
Benedek Javor, Green MEP