Environmental governance : a comparative analysis of public participation and access to justice

We now possess the knowledge that our actions do have a real impact on the environment. Ignorance is no excuse for inaction. With knowledge comes the moral responsibility to act carefully in regards to the environment, on a global, domestic, and local scale. The concept of environmental governance incorporates this ethic. The Earth Charter Initiative expresses this sense of environmental responsibility by stating that the improvement of democratic practices, transparency and accountability of government institutions, along with civil participation in decision making, are strongly related factors to the objectives of the protection of the environment and social and economic justice. This paper will deal with the broad concept and practice of environmental governance, with a focus on the controversial but prudent issue of intervenor funding; and the growing awareness and recognition of the special contribution to be made by indigenous communities in maintaining ecosystems and teaching us about the sustainable use of our natural resources. The concept of environmental governance encompasses the relationships and interactions among government and non-government structures, procedures and conventions, where power and responsibility are exercised in making environmental decisions. It concerns how the decisions are made, with a particular emphasis on the need for citizens, interest groups, and communities generally, to participate and have their voices heard. Therefore, the concept does not apply to the province of government alone, and the term ââ"šÂ¬Ã‹Å“governanceââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ must be distinguished from ââ"šÂ¬Ã‹Å“government.ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ It is imperative that we study the actions of the government in terms of environmental policy and decision-making, but we must also observe how citizens take on their own responsibility and develop environmental initiatives.