J&E is an association consisting of environmental law organizations from twelve different European countries; EELC is a member of the network from its creation. Siim Vahtrus was the representative of the EELC at this year’s AGM; he was elected as a new member to the Executive Committee of the organization at the meeting. Earlier (in 2004-2010) Kärt Vaarmari from EELC served as a member of the Executive Committee of J&E.
Priorities for the activities for the coming years were one of the main topics of discussion at the AGM. Future developments on the EU level were one of the main criteria used to determine priority areas. Participants of the AGM considered environmental rights (access to justice in particular), environmental impact assessment, measures to fight climate change and environmental liability as most important topic areas. In addition to identifying priorities, it was decided to allocate more time for introducing the results of the work of J&E to the EU institutions and general public in next year’s workplan.
J&E aims at improving environmental legislation and its implementation at both national and EU level. To achieve this aim, studies and analyses are compiled; results of these are used by Brussels-based environmental organizations and EU institutions. In addition to that, the members of J&E and the organization itself have also initiated several court proceedings in order to draw attention to the shortcomings in legislation or its implementation.
More on J&E can be found on its homepage: http://www.justiceandenvironment.org/
