Good afternoon.

Let me begin by thanking the Council of Europe for the invitation to this important event. It is a pleasure to join this gathering of experts, advocates and policymakers committed to strengthening environmental governance and human rights.

Today’s topic - inclusive and meaningful participation in environmental decision-making - is central to environmental democracy.

Allow me to give you the EU perspective, drawing on my role as European Ombudswoman, and in doing so explain how my Office can help support environmental human rights defenders.

The European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration in EU institutions. Any EU citizen, organisation or environmental defender can turn to us if they believe that the EU administration has acted unfairly, lacked transparency, failed to follow proper procedures, or denied access to information.

While I cannot overturn legislation or impose sanctions, I can investigate, inspect documents, make recommendations, identify maladministration and bring public scrutiny to the way EU institutions operate. In environmental matters, this means helping to ensure transparency, meaningful participation, accountability and access to justice.

Environmental human rights defenders play a crucial role in protecting the environment and holding public authorities accountable. To do so effectively, three things are necessary: access to information, meaningful participation in decision-making, and access to justice. These are three areas where the work of my Office can make a practical difference.

First, access to environmental information is a prerequisite for meaningful participation. People cannot contribute effectively to decisions that affect their environment, health and future if they do not have the necessary information. Through our inquiries, we promote proactive transparency and challenge unjustified barriers to access. Information must be available early enough, quickly enough, and in a meaningful form if citizens are to participate effectively.

Second, participation must be genuine. It is not simply a procedural requirement but a safeguard for accountability, better policymaking and public trust. My Office examines complaints concerning inadequate consultations, missing impact assessments, or the exclusion of stakeholders from decision-making processes. Meaningful participation requires broad, balanced and inclusive engagement, particularly where environmental and climate objectives are at stake.

Third, access to justice is essential. Citizens and environmental defenders must know how to challenge decisions and have access to effective remedies. Alongside the courts, the Ombudsman provides a simple, free and accessible form of independent oversight. We also examine how the European Commission handles complaints concerning possible breaches of EU environmental law, helping to ensure that procedures are fair, transparent and timely.

Finally, transparency must also apply to the influences that shape environmental policy. This includes lobbying activities. Public trust depends on knowing who seeks to influence decision-making, on whose behalf, and under what conditions. Transparency is not about limiting participation. It is about ensuring that participation takes place on an open, fair and accountable basis.

Let me conclude with a simple observation: environmental justice is ultimately about people. It is about ensuring that communities have a genuine voice in decisions that affect their lives, their health and their future. By strengthening transparency, participation and accountability, we strengthen environmental democracy itself.

Thank you.