The 9th EfE Ministerial Conference focuses on sustainable infrastructure. The urgently needed energy transition comes with large-scale infrastructure developments. With the European Green Deal in the EU and policy and financial frameworks in other parts of the UNECE region striving for carbon neutrality, massive investments are underway. With Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and soaring energy prices, the quest for energy independence has risen to the top of political priorities across the region. While countries in the UNECE region need to rapidly shift to 100% renewable energy sources to be able to answer ecological and geopolitical pressures as fast as possible, we must safeguard nature and biodiversity, respect environmental rights and protect environmental defenders. 

The draft Ministerial Declaration makes strong reference to the Aarhus Convention, the world’s first multilateral environmental agreement to recognise environment rights. The purpose of this side event is to raise awareness of the threats to environmental rights posed by a disorderly energy transition. The side event will discuss how Aarhus Convention rights have been ignored and it will showcase examples where they have been championed. It will present recommendations for a rights-based energy transition throughout the countries in the UNECE region and make a important contribution to the overall conference theme by showing how meaningful public participation is part and parcel of sustainable infrastructure developments.

A more detailed programme will be shared closer to the event.