Aarhus & Nuclear ANCLI Initiative on Aarhus and Nuclear 2009-2010 C. Mouchet, ANCLI

1. Aarhus & NuclearANCLI Initiative on Aarhus and Nuclear2009-2010C. Mouchet, ANCLI 7 July 2009 – Geneva – UNECE

2. The National Association of Local Commissions • Local Commission of Information • Pluralist – 4 colleges : local elected representatives, NGOs, trade-unions and experts • In charge of information and oversight of nuclear activities • 30 years of experience • Created in 1981 by Prime Minister • Recognized by the French Law on Transparency and Nuclear Safety(2006) • National Association from 2000

3. The National Association of Local Commissions • Local Commission of Information experience of Aarhus • Local : Citizen oversight on environmental releases, safety with expertise support • National : • ANCLI White Papers to inform the preparation of the 2006 French nuclear bills (transparency, waste) • National Scientific Committee and Permanent Groups • European : • European Nuclear Energy Forum • ANCLI “Aarhus and Nuclear” initiative

4. The context of the ANCLI Aarhus and Nuclear initiative • The European Forum of Nuclear Energy (2007-2009) • « Transparency » working group, Aarhus and Nuclear initiative by ANCLI - EUROCLI (2008 study) • European Workshop « Aarhus and Nuclear », 24-25th June 2009 (ANCLI, EC DG TREN) • 15 European Countries, 1/3 citizens, local actors and NGOs • A participation limited to a hundred people

6. Objectives of the European Workshop Aarhus and Nuclear, June 2009, Luxembourg • To make a first pluralist and wide assessment of the practical implementation of the Aarhus Convention in the nuclear field in the EU • To develop a specific network of local actors and citizens • To prepare the next step of assessment (national contexts, European transversal themes) • Set a roadmap for 2009-2010, with the perspective of a European wide conference in late 2010

7. Tentative conclusions of the Aarhus and Nuclear European Workshop • All legal provisions of the Aarhus Convention apply to the nuclear activities • Although at EU level there is a discrepancy between the Aarhus convention and the Euratom treaty • The implementation of the Aarhus Convention doesn’t meet expectations, even though progress is reported • A successful legal approach but the objective of transparency is not reached yet • Legal obligations and active co-experimentation complement one the other • Opening up of institutions : change in law, institutions, expertise… • Stronger participation of local actors : capacity building, empowerment, citizen investigations… • Through pilot actions, field work…

8. Tentative conclusions of the Aarhus and Nuclear European Workshop • One European framework, several national frameworks • A specific implementation in each country (cultural, legal and institutional particularities) • Each nuclear activity has specific aspects • A specific implementation in each context of activity (building, operation, decommissioning, waste management…) • The practical implementation of the Aarhus Convention in the nuclear field requires translation and adaptation in each context

9. Conclusion • Strong expression of interest from participants, a new climate of dialogue, European dimension • The European Aarhus and Nuclear initiative by ANCLI : a space of initiative open to participants • About ten expressions of interest from national delegations for national round tables, expression of thematic priorities • European round tables to be set up • Institutional support (EU, Aarhus Convention, Member States) • European conference announced for late 2010 • A roadmap to build in september 2009

10. Main features • A pluralist approach: • institutions and civil society • Legal aspects, and practical experience • Return of experience: good and bad practices • Parallel national processes, meeting point in 2010 • European round tables on transversal issues • Generic Aarhus questions, addressed in a concrete way in context: a practical contribution to a general reflexion on Aarhus (e.g. notion of « due account »)