Aarhus Convention – Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Sicurezza energetica

Report on the Aarhus Convention and its Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Ratification

The Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, commonly known as the Aarhus Convention, was established under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in 1998 and entered into force in 2001. Italy ratified the Convention through Law No. 108 of March 16, 2001, formally adopting its principles into national legislation.

The Convention is a critical international instrument for implementing environmental democracy, creating a direct link between environmental rights and human rights. This framework is fundamental to achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly by providing the procedural rights necessary for public engagement in environmental governance.

Core Principles and Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Article 1 of the Convention establishes its primary objective: “In order to contribute to the protection of the right of every person of present and future generations to live in an environment adequate to his or her health and well-being, each Party shall guarantee the rights of access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters.” This commitment directly supports the core tenets of sustainable development by ensuring intergenerational equity and procedural rights.

The Three Pillars: A Framework for SDG 16

The Convention’s principles are structured around three pillars that are intrinsically linked to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which aims to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

1. Access to Information: This pillar guarantees the public’s right to receive environmental information held by public authorities. This directly supports SDG Target 16.10, which seeks to ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.
2. Public Participation in Decision-Making: This pillar requires that the public is involved in the decision-making process for environmental matters. This aligns with SDG Target 16.7, which aims to ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making.
3. Access to Justice: This pillar provides the public with access to judicial or administrative proceedings to challenge decisions that contravene environmental law or the principles of the Convention. This is a direct implementation of SDG Target 16.3, which promotes the rule of law and ensures equal access to justice for all.

Implementation and Monitoring in Italy

National Implementation Reports

Italy’s commitment to the Convention is monitored through periodic National Implementation Reports. These reports provide a transparent account of the progress and challenges in applying the Convention’s principles, contributing to the accountability mechanisms central to the SDG framework. The reports compiled to date include:

• Sixth Progress Report on the implementation of the Aarhus Convention in Italy
• Fifth Progress Report (June 2021)
• Fourth Progress Report (2017)
• Third Progress Report (January 2014)
• Second Progress Report (December 2010)
• First Progress Report

Key Activities and Stakeholder Engagement

Recent Developments

Recent activities demonstrate ongoing efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Convention and foster partnerships, in line with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

• Public Consultation on the Sixth Progress Report: On August 11, 2025, the Directorate-General for European and International Affairs and Sustainable Finance (DG AEIF) of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) concluded a public consultation on the Sixth Progress Report. This participatory process, following a contribution collection phase in 2024, exemplifies the practical application of the Convention’s second pillar and reinforces the principles of inclusive governance central to SDG 16.
• Consultative Workshop in Vienna: On September 8-9, 2025, a consultative workshop titled “Strengthening Public Participation and Transboundary Dialogue in Environmental Impact Assessment in South-Eastern Europe” was held in Vienna. Organized by the OSCE in collaboration with Italian governmental directorates (DG AEIF and DG VA), the event focused on enhancing international cooperation and public participation in transboundary environmental assessments, directly contributing to both SDG 16 and SDG 17.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article is fundamentally about SDG 16 as it focuses on the Aarhus Convention, which promotes environmental democracy. The Convention’s core pillars—access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters—are essential for building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article directly connects environmental rights to human health by quoting Article 1 of the Convention, which aims “to contribute to the protection of the right of every person of present and future generations to live in an environment adequate to his or her health and well-being.” This establishes a clear link between a healthy environment and human well-being.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Targets under SDG 16

  1. Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. The article is centered on the Aarhus Convention, described as an international instrument guaranteeing the “rights of access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters.”
  2. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The Convention is presented as the “most comprehensive codification of public participation rights in environmental matters.” The article also mentions specific participatory activities, such as the “public consultation on the Sixth Progress Report” and the “consultative workshop” in Vienna, which are direct examples of this target in action.
  3. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article highlights that the Aarhus Convention is a “legally binding international instrument” that guarantees “access to justice in environmental matters.” Italy’s ratification of the Convention through “Law No. 108 of March 16, 2001” demonstrates the implementation of this target at the national level.

• Target under SDG 3

  1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. While the article does not discuss specific health outcomes, it establishes the foundational right to a healthy environment. The procedural rights it describes (access to information, participation, and justice) are key governance mechanisms that empower citizens to advocate for policies that reduce pollution and protect public health, thereby contributing to the achievement of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Ratification and Implementation of International Agreements: The article explicitly states that “Italy ratified the Convention through Law No. 108 of March 16, 2001.” This act of ratification and its incorporation into national law is a direct indicator of progress towards Target 16.10, specifically relating to the implementation of international agreements on public access to information.
• Publication of National Progress Reports: The article lists six “National Implementation Reports” published by Italy. These reports serve as a formal, periodic indicator of the country’s efforts to monitor and document its implementation of the Convention’s principles, reflecting progress on Targets 16.3, 16.7, and 16.10.
• Public Consultation Processes: The mention of the “public consultation on the Sixth Progress Report” is a specific indicator of participatory decision-making (Target 16.7). The existence and execution of such consultations demonstrate that mechanisms are in place for the public to contribute to official reporting and policy-making.
• Organization of Workshops and Dialogues: The article highlights a “consultative workshop in Vienna” focused on “Strengthening Public Participation and Transboundary Dialogue.” Such events are indicators of ongoing efforts to build capacity and promote inclusive and responsive decision-making processes, as called for in Target 16.7.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mase.gov.it