Based on the principle of the right to a healthy environment and the notions of sustainable development and environmental democracy, the Aarhus Convention and the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment put in place mechanisms to realise these ideals in practice. The two instruments detail procedures to enable the public to be informed about and participate effectively in decisions that may affect their lives.

The present publication consists of two separate but thematically closely linked publications: (i) "Maastricht Recommendations on Promoting Effective Public Participation in Decision-making in Environmental Matters” prepared under the Aarhus Convention and (ii) “Good practice recommendations on public participation in strategic environmental assessment” prepared under the Protocol on SEA under the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention).