Aarhus Centres on OSCE web platform for co-operation, participation and parnerships in addressing environment and security issues.
Environment and security are linked. Environmental degradation, competition over national and transboundary natural resources, as well as climate change make governing environmental issues an increasingly complex task and can lead to tensions. Environmental co-operation, on the contrary, can help building trust and confidence. Addressing environment and security challenges requires dialogue and consultation between countries and within countries among a wide array of stakeholders. The Aarhus Centres provide platforms to engage citizens, governments and the private sector in a dialogue on environmental challenges. Access to information, public participation in environmental decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters are the three pillars of the 1998 Aarhus Convention. They are also the basis for the work of the 60 Aarhus Centres that are currently operating in 14 countries throughout the OSCE area.