Development of civil society institutions as part of the strategic environmental assessment procedure

Strategic environmental assessment is not only an effective mechanism in solving environmental problems, but also a way of implementing the principles of «environmental democracy». It is generally accepted that the concept of «ecological democracy» has gained popularity after the signing of the Aarhus Convention in 1998. The Aarhus Convention is based on three main principles: access to information, public participation and access to justice. To date, most countries in Europe, the CIS, Canada, Ireland, the United States have sufficient experience in the practical implementation of the provisions of the Aarhus Convention. A developed civil society promotes public involvement in the discussion of environmental issues at various levels of state strategic decision-making. As part of an empirical study, the author compiled and conducted a sociological research in which 109 respondents - residents of various regions of the Russian Federation participated. The research results allowed us to draw some conclusions about the degree of public involvement in environmental decision-making and access to environmental information. The author also sent inquiries to the relevant federal executive bodies in order to obtain information on the state of the environment. The experience with the normative implementation of the Aarhus Convention and its practical application in some countries may be applicable to Russian realities. On the basis of an analysis of foreign experience in implementing the principles of the Aarhus Convention, it can be concluded that a practice will be successful only if all principles are strictly observed. Public participation in the discussion of environmental projects is a key element of a successful strategic environmental assessment, and, as a result, environmental protection. © 2020 International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights reserved.