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EU challenged on freedom of information September 2010 newsletter  EU challenged on freedom of information Both the Council of the European Union and the European Commission are failing to uphold EU transparency rules. On September 20 we began two separate legal proceedings to stop these bodies restricting citizens’ access to information. Our case against the Council relates to the refusal to release a key document about the review of EU transparency rules. Our second case, brought with Transport & Environment, the European Environmental Bureau, and Birdlife International, challenges the Commission’s failure to release documents containing information about the negative climate impacts of EU biofuels use. Tim Grabiel, senior lawyer at ClientEarth, said: “These cases call into question the openness and transparency on which the EU is based.” The story was covered widely in the press. To read about it on Bloomberg click here. ClientEarth wins landmark case against the UK In September 2009 we took a case to the UN arguing that the UK government must fundamentally change the way its courts operate to give citizens greater access to justice. In August the UN’s Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee released its draft findings agreeing with us. Under the Aarhus Convention, which the UK has signed, no one should face unreasonable financial risks in bringing an environmental case. A single-day hearing in the UK could cost over £100,000, which few individuals or NGOs can afford. ClientEarth’s CEO James Thornton called on the government to “move effectively and decisively to remedy the gross unfairness of the UK legal system.” To read about the case in the Guardian click here. European Investment Bank challenged on loan to steel giant Together with Bankwatch we issued our second challenge to the European Investment Bank (EIB) in August over its €250m research and development loan to ArcelorMittal. The EIB is legally prohibited from granting finance to a project when “finance is available from sources other than the bank on reasonable terms”, yet it signed the loan to the steel giant (which enjoyed revenues of $65.1bn in 2009) in July despite our initial complaint that it was not acting properly. Anais Berthier, staff lawyer at ClientEarth, said “The way that the EIB is conducting itself suggests a worrying lack of willingness to comply with its own rules.” To read more click here. Are you trying to access information from the EU? On October 1 and 20 between 11am and 3pm ClientEarth, European Climate Foundation and Transport & Environment will be hosting workshops for NGOs Accessing Environmental Information: Bringing accountability to EU policy-making on environmental matters in Brussels. If you’re interested in attending please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Click here to make a donation to ClientEarth |
