Estonia implements target 22 objectives mainly through the Aarhus Convention “three pillars” approach—access to environmental information, public participation, and access to justic. It is mainly applied through EU and national law, and cross-cutting equality and accessibility frameworks that aim to remove barriers for women and girls, youth, and persons with disabilities. 

Main domestic policy measures

1) Access to biodiversity-related information. Legal right to access public/environmental information via the Public Information Act, including obligations on public authorities to disclose information and assist information requesters, supported by the national information gateway concept. Open biodiversity and nature-conservation data systems, notably EELIS (Estonian Nature Information System), which provides information on protected areas, nature values, water-related data and legal restrictions (public-facing access via the Environmental Portal). The Environment Agency collects, analyses and publish nature/nature protection data and maintain nature protection databases (supporting transparency and evidence-based participation).

2) Public participation in biodiversity-relevant decisions. Environmental Impact Assessment / Strategic Environmental Assessment (EIA/SEA)  procedures require structured participation through public display and public consultation procedures. “Everyone has the right” to access EIA programmes during public display/consultation and to submit proposals/objections/questions and receive responses. EIA reports must be put on public display for at least 30 days, and feedback must be addressed under defined procedures. Spatial planning decisions affecting biodiversity (land use, green network, Natura sites) are also public processes. The Planning Act provides formal participation steps (public display, public discussion and reasoned feedback). Public display of key plans is at least 30 days, and everyone has the right to present opinions (e.g., comprehensive plans). Authorities must hold a public discussion after public display and explain positions and reasoning. The process for establishment and governance of protected areas / species and habitat measures is described in the The Nature Conservation Act, and includes explicit participation rights in protection decisions. Anyone may submit a proposal to place a natural object under protection. Protection proceedings require public notice, opportunities to review drafts, public examination for at least two weeks, and (normally) a public discussion, with an explanatory note published online. Protected-area and species/habitat planning transparency is operationalised through Environmental Board practice of publishing public disclosure notices and materials for management plans and action plans. Estonia complements statutory procedures with e-participation and e-consultation tools, which allow stakeholders to comment on draft policies/legislation and improve early-stage engagement.

3) Access to justice in biodiversity-related matters. Estonia provides strong administrative court access for environmental matters, including reduced procedural barriers for civil society. Under the Code of Administrative Court Procedure § 292, when a non-governmental environmental organisation challenges an environmental administrative act/measure, it is presumed to have legitimate interest/rights affected (standing), and the provision explicitly includes organisations representing a significant proportion of local population. This supports CBD Target 22 by enabling communities and NGOs to seek remedies when biodiversity-related participation or substantive environmental requirements are not met, consistent with Aarhus principles.

4) Inclusion, equity and accessibility (gender-responsive and barrier-free participation). While Estonia does not have “indigenous peoples” in the same way as many CBD Parties, domestic implementation focuses on local communities and all affected persons (including landowners/users, local residents, and civil society) through universal participation and justice guarantees, complemented by equality and accessibility measures. Gender Equality Act sets the purpose to ensure equal treatment of men and women across social life. Equal Treatment Act establishes the principle of non-discrimination (including disability, age, religion/belief, etc.), relevant to ensuring consultations and information practices are equitable. The Youth Work Act requires local councils to consult with a youth council (if it exists) in planning, implementing and assessing youth work—supporting structured youth voice in local governance processes that often intersect with environment and place-based decisions. Estonia has adopted measures to improve accessibility of products/services and related information (supporting barrier-free access to consultation materials and participation channels).

5) Protection of environmental human rights defenders. Estonia does not rely on a single “defenders law”; instead, protection is primarily delivered through rule-of-law guarantees, open civic space, and effective access to courts, including the enhanced standing of environmental NGOs under § 292 (reducing retaliation-via-procedure risks and strengthening legal protection pathways).