Public Access to Environmental Information

Under the Environmental Information Regulations 1992, the public has a right of access to environmental information held by public authorities and certain other bodies. Requests for information can only be refused in certain limited circumstances and the basic presumption is that information will be released unless there are compelling and substantive reasons to withhold it.

Making information about the environment publicly available is essential for achieving sustainable development. By providing access to environmental information, the public is able to take decisions in full knowledge of the likely environmental implications and to participate more effectively in decision making processes that affect the environment. Openness also promotes transparent decision making and greater public accountability of how authorities undertake their duties and responsibilities.

These web pages provide:

• guidance on the rights available under the 1992 Regulations and the procedures that should be followed by an authority in dealing with a request ("Guidance on the Implementation of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992")

• information on the new EC Directive to bring this regime up the new international standard for access to environmental information (the 'Aarhus Convention').

Contacting Defra

If you would like further information on your rights under the Environmental Information Regulations or on the proposals to amend them, you can contact Sarah Abbott (details below).

If you are seeking information about environmental issues but do not know which Government Department or public body to contact, please use the website www.ukonline.gov.uk to identify the correct one. If you think that the information that you are looking for is held by this Department, e-mail your inquiry to us on helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk, call us on 08459 33 55 77 or write to us at Defra Helpline, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 3-8 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HH.

You can contact Sarah Abbott as follows:

Defra
Zone 5/B2, Ashdown House
123 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6DE

Tel 020 7944 6486
Fax 020 7944 6169
E-mail: sarah.abbott@defra.gsi.gov.uk