By ratifying the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) Ukraine has committed itself to a change of established practices regarding the provision of environmental information and the right of the public to appeal to the court with claims for environmental protection. The implementation of the norms of this Convention has become quite problematic, not least due to the insufficient level of environmental awareness of Ukrainian society. However, positive changes in this area are still taking place, not least due to the active work of various public environmental organizations. It seems that the scientific study of the norms of the Aarhus Convention will also to some extent contribute to the progress of our state and society in the field of environmental protection.
We consider it necessary to enshrine the "automatic" recognition of legal interest (i.e. the right to sue in matters relating to environmental protection) for any non-governmental environmental organization registered and operating in accordance with Ukrainian law. This will meet the requirements of Part 4 of Art. 3 of the Aarhus Convention, according to which our state ensures "proper recognition of associations, organizations or groups that contribute to the protection of the environment, and provides them with appropriate support and ensures compliance of its national legal system with this obligation"
Among the trends that can be considered extremely positive is the recent legal conclusion of the Supreme Court in the case of banning the dolphinarium. In this case, the Supreme Court stressed that "the right to protection of the violated constitutional right to a safe environment belongs to everyone and can be exercised both personally and with the participation of a public representative". Given the binding nature of the Supreme Court's legal conclusions, we hope that this case will be a significant milestone in bringing domestic legislation and the practice of its application to the requirements of the Aarhus Convention.
1. Konventsiya pro dostup do informatsiyi, uchastʹ hromadsʹkosti v protsesi pryynyattya rishenʹ ta dostup do pravosuddya z pytanʹ, shcho stosuyutʹsya dovkillya (Orkhusʹka konventsiya) (vid 25.06.1998) [Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) (dated 25.06.1998)]. Ratyfikovana Zakonom Ukrayiny (06.07.1999 No 832–14). Ofitsiynyy visnyk Ukrayiny, 2010 (33). 1191 (in Ukr.)URL: http://zakon3.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/994_015. (in Ukr.).
2. Bondar O. M. Ekolohichnyi absenteizm u suchasnomu promyslovomu misti : zmist, prychyny ta proiavy [Ecological absenteeism in the modern industrial city: content, causes and manifestations]. Hrani [Faces]. 2012. № 1(81). Pp. 98-101. (in Ukr.).
3. Konstytutsiia Ukrainy vid 28 chervnia 1996 r. [Constitution of Ukraine of June 28, 1996] URL: http://zakon2.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/254%D0%BA/96-%D0%B2%D1%80. (in Ukr.).
4. Zakon Ukrainy «Pro okhoronu navkolyshnoho pryrodnoho seredovyshcha» vid 25 chervnia 1991 r.[Law of Ukraine "On Environmental Protection" of June 25, 1991] URL: http://zakon2.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1264-12. (in Ukr.).
5. Kliain Naomi Zminiuietsia vse. Kapitalizm proty klimatu [Everything is changing. Capitalism against climate] / Per. z anhliiskoi Dmytra Kozheduba. K. : Nash Format, 2016. 480 p. (in Ukr.).
6. Ekvador. Svitovyi dosvid [Ecuador. World experience] // Portal Syla prava [Portal The power of law] URL: http://Sila-prava.com.ua/ua/world/equador/. (in Ukr.).
7. Bolyvyia hotovyt zakon o Matere-Zemle [Bolivia is preparing a law on Mother Earth] Portal Zhyvaia planeta [Living Planet Portal] URL: http://animalworld.com.ua/news/Bolivija-gotovit-Zakon-o-Materi-Zemle.
8. Postanova Kyivskoho apeliatsiinoho administratyvnoho sudu Ukrainy vid 10 lypnia 2014 r. u spravi № 826/13710/13-a [Resolution of the Kyiv Administrative Court of Appeal of Ukraine of July 10, 2014 in case № 826/13710/13-a. ] Yedynyi derzhavnyi reiestr sudovykh rishen Ukrainy [Unified State Register of Judgments of Ukraine] URL:http://www.reyestr.court.gov.ua/39870780. (in Ukr.).
9. «Dyzelnyi skandal»: Volkswagen splatyt u SShA do 15 miliardiv dolariv kompensatsii ["Diesel scandal": Volkswagen will pay up to $ 15 billion in compensation in the United States.] URL: http://www.dw.com/дизельний-скандал-volkswagen-сплатить-у-сша-до-15-мільярдів-доларів-компенсацій/а-19362368. (in Ukr.).
10. Hrushkevych, T. V. (2009). Pytannya dostupu do pravosuddya u spravakh pro vidshkoduvannya shkody, zavdanoyi vnaslidok nehatyvnoho vplyvu na navkolyshnye pryrodne seredovyshche [The issue of access to justice in cases of compensation for harm caused by the negative impact on the environment]. Universytet·sʹki naukovi zapysky, 4(32). 64–69 (in Ukr.).
11. Verdict 24-06-2015. ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2015:7196 Rechtbank Den Haag, 24-06-2015, C/09/456689/ HA ZA 13-1396 (English translation). URL: https://www.urgenda.nl/en/themas/climate-case/.
12. Judgment the Hague Court of Appeal 9-10-2018.ECLI:NL:GHDHA:2018:2610. Gerechtshof Den Haag, 09-10-2018, 200.178.245/01 (Engelse vertaling). URL: https://www.urgenda.nl/en/themas/climate-case/.
13. Postanova Velykoi Palaty Verkhovnoho Sudu vid 11 hrudnia 2018 roku u spravi № 910/8122/17 (provadzhennia №12-186hs18) [Resolution of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court of 11 December 2018 in case № 910/8122/17 (proceedings №12-186gs18] Yedynyi derzhavnyi reiestr sudovykh rishen Ukrainy [Unified State Register of Judgments of Ukraine] URL: https://verdictum.ligazakon.net/document/78977479 (in Ukr.).