1. How
1.1. Timely
1.1.1. Before the submission of the drafts to the EU Commission
1.1.1.1. Art. 7 and 6 Aarhus Convention
1.1.1.1.1. Art 6(4) Aarhus Convention: Public participation when all options are still open
1.1.1.2. Art. 10 Governance Regulation
1.1.1.2.1. Public is given early and effective opportunities to participate in the preparation of the draft
1.1.1.3. Findings of a report show that Public Participation in the NECP update processes has so far been lacking
1.1.2. Beyond the submission of the drafts to the EU Commission
1.1.2.1. Legal
1.1.2.1.1. Aarhus Convention has no temporal limit (Art. 7 Aarhus Convention)
1.1.2.2. Timing
1.1.2.2.1. Art. 6(3) Aarhus Convention: reasonable timeframes for different phases
1.1.2.2.2. Claim: "Public Participation causes delays"
1.1.2.3. Effective
1.1.2.3.1. Public participation so far has been lacking: the only solution is to improve it past the submission deadline
1.2. Effective
1.2.1. Taking due account of the outcome of the Public Participation processes in the draft NECP submitted
1.2.1.1. Reflection of the public's views in the draft NECP submitted
1.2.1.2. Publication of a summary of the public's views
1.2.2. Formats
1.2.2.1. Dialogues inter alia Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogues (Art. 11 Governance Regulation)
1.2.2.1.1. Good practices examples from EnergyCities
1.2.2.2. Consultations
1.2.2.2.1. Stakeholders consultation
1.2.2.2.2. Public consultation
1.2.3. Sufficient time for different stages
1.2.3.1. Time to digest information
1.2.3.2. Time to formulate opinion
1.2.3.3. Time to submit opinion
1.2.3.3.1. Guidance: 8 weeks
1.3. Fair & transparent
1.3.1. Definitions
1.3.1.1. Art 9(3) Aarhus Convention: all persons, regardless of economic or social position, ethnicity, nationality or other such criteria
1.3.1.2. Art 3(9) Aarhus Convention: without discrimination as to citizenship, nationality or domicile
1.4. Informed
1.4.1. Providing the necessary information (Art. 7 Aarhus Convention, Art. 10 Governance Regulation)
1.4.1.1. A draft NECP available ahead of the consultation
1.4.1.2. Information on analytical basis of the NECP : facts, analyses related to measures laid out in the draft NECP
1.4.1.3. Publication of NECP progress reports
1.4.1.3.1. Reports on Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogues are not public.
2. Why
2.1. Better NECPs
2.1.1. 2019 NECPs need updating
2.1.1.1. Climate Urgency
2.1.1.1.1. 2030 Climate targets
2.1.1.1.2. IPCC reports
2.1.1.2. 2019 NECPs showed that pressure on the political level is needed. The public is best suited to deliver that pressure.
2.1.2. Protection against vested interests
2.1.2.1. Having citizens and NGOs involved is a safeguard against corporate capture
2.1.2.1.1. Fossil fuel industry
2.1.2.1.2. Industrial big emitters
2.1.3. Public buy-in
2.1.3.1. Just transition
2.1.3.2. Democratic Legitimacy
2.2. It is your right
2.2.1. Aarhus Convention: both the EU and all its Member States are parties to the Convention
2.2.1.1. Art 7 regarding Plans, Programmes and Policies relating to the Environment
2.2.1.2. Article 7 refers to Article 6 (2,3,4, and 8 ) which lay out minimum requirements for public participation
2.2.2. Governance Regulation
2.2.2.1. But contested text not compliant with the Aarhus Convention requirements
2.2.2.1.1. Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee (Decision VII/8f)
2.2.2.1.2. Missing: EU regulatory framework to ensure requirements of Art. 7
2.2.2.2. Art 14 Governance Regulation
2.2.2.2.1. Public consultation procedures apply to the updates of the NECPs
2.2.2.3. Art 10 Governance Regulation
2.2.2.3.1. Public is given early and effective opportunities to participate in the preparation of the draft
2.2.3. Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive
2.2.3.1. Applicable because: Art. 10 Governance Regulation states "Without prejudice to any other Union law requirements"