Justice and Environment

24/02/2026

The EU’s climate policy – caught between competing priorities

Jan Dusik, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Climate Action – responding to the question of where EU climate policy implementation stands in 2026 - said that we are currently not meeting the commitments we made in the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. We are not there yet and we need to increase our efforts. Moreover, in this situation, we cannot choose between decarbonization, the economy, security, or social considerations. The EU must keep all of these in mind at the same time.

In order for the climate transition to also be a just transition, human rights, including those enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, must be taken into account. This can ensure that vulnerable groups are not disadvantaged in the process.

The full recording is available in English here: https://youtu.be/ADteH5d78E8

Funded by the European Union.
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Video message by Jan Dusik, Deputy Director-General of Directorate-General for Climate Action of the EU on a rights based approach to climate neutrality and ...

18/02/2026

Conference on the practical application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the protection of human rights and the environment in Poland

The Charter of Fundamental Rights remains one of the key tools for protecting human rights, the environment and democracy in the European Union, but its potential in Poland is still not being fully exploited. The challenge for the coming years is not so much to ‘invent’ new rights, but to consistently, consciously and courageously draw on those that already exist.

Read more about it here: https://justiceandenvironment.org/news-posts/conference-on-the-practical-application-of-the-charter-of-fundamental-rights-in-the-protection-of-human-rights-and-the-environment-in-poland/

Funded by the European Union.
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During the conference, expert panellists discussed the application of the Charter in strategic litigation, national legislation, and the implementation of European funds in the context of future political, technological, and climate challenges. The opening questions already showed that the Charter i...

16/02/2026

EU's Fundamental Rights: Citizens' Secret Weapon in Court in Bulgaria

Do you want clarity on where renewable energy projects can and cannot be built? Where concrete can be poured? Where noise can be generated or waste burned? A STELLAR Rights project conference in Sofia demonstrated that the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights ptovides solid legal basis for citizens' access to information on decisions that affect the environment and ability to participate in their making. And get public authorities to court, when they fail to provided them.

Read more on the event here:
https://justiceandenvironment.org/news-posts/eus-fundamental-rights-citizens-secret-weapon-in-court-in-bulgaria/

Funded by the European Union.
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Do you want clarity on where renewable energy projects can and cannot be built? Where concrete can be poured? Where noise can be generated or waste burned? A STELLAR Rights project conference in Sofia demonstrated that the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights ptovides solid legal basis for citizens’ ...

16/02/2026

National Conference Enhances Voices for Environmental Protection in Slovenia

A national conference titled “Law for Society and Nature: Are We Improving the Environment for the Better?” brought together more than 160 legal professionals, civil society representatives, experts and representatives of public institutions to discuss the role of participation and law in environmental protection in Slovenia. The event, held on 15–16 January 2026 at the University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Law, was organised by the Legal Centre for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment (PIC) in cooperation with Ombudsman and the Faculty of Law and was supported by the EU through STELLAR Rights project.

The conference aimed to reflect on how law, science and public engagement shape policy and decision-making in climate and energy matters, and why environmental protection often remains insufficient despite existing rules and knowledge. Participants addressed persistent gaps between scientific findings and policy decisions, as well as concerns about declining opportunities for public involvement for environmental protection, particularly when it comes to big investments and infrastructure projects.

Discussions focused on several themes: the neglect of scientific evidence in making policy and decisions, the weakening of public participation rights, legal mechanisms safeguarding civic involvement, and examples of good practice that could improve governance. The programme featured more than 30 speakers from legal, scientific and civil society backgrounds and explored both current challenges and potential solutions.

The first day assessed the state of environmental protection and citizens’ ability to exercise their rights, while the second examined the role of courts and legal professionals in safeguarding participation and charting paths forward.

The conference strengthened dialogue between experts, institutions and the public, fostering improved practices and renewed commitment to transparent, science- and rights-based environmental governance in Slovenia.

Funded by the European Union.
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16/02/2026

Shale Gas: The future or a dead end in Hungary?

There is a project called STELLAR Rights run by J&E in 8 EU Member States, including Hungary. The third event in Hungary within this project was organized for 3 December 2025 into the Event Centre of the Central European University (CEU) which serves as a hub of diverse intellectual events. The event was co-organized by EMLA Association and Friends of the Earth Hungary.

The third substantive presentation was presented by Ms. Eszter Galambos, energy program leader of Friends of the Earth Hungary. Her presentation described the nature of shale gas and its exploration and exploitation methods as well as the environmental and other impacts that are associated with fracking and the drilling for unconventional gas sources.

She described that shale gas and fracking in Hungary and elsewhere are in the focus of FOE Hungary (and FOE Europe) for a long time. Shale exploration and exploitation are coming up in Hungary due to a Government policy that prioritizes domestic natural gas sources although their environmental burden and economic costs may be disproportionate. Ms. Galambos highlighted that there are a number of strategic lawsuits (including FOI cases and a case against an environmental permit of a gas processing hub) in progress or lately closed with the active participation of FOE Hungary and that these were selected in order to exercise the most pressure against this gas extraction method. To strengthen the fight against shale gas, FOE Hungary just at the moment of the presentation announced a public call for a moratorium against new shale gas developments; the call is publicly available and can be signed by anyone agreeing with the goals of FOE Hungary.

Funded by the European Union.
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03/02/2026

We invite you to join an online discussion focused on human rights-based approaches to energy policy and the challenges of a fair energy transition.

The event brings together representatives of European institutions and civil society organisations to exchange perspectives on energy security, justice and environmental protection.

🗓 20 February 2026
⏰ 09:30–12:00 CET
💻 Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/99951090951

🔗 Registration: https://tinyurl.com/nzhxn29c

📄 The full event agenda is available here: https://tinyurl.com/ymhvc984

Funded by the European Union 🇪🇺

27/01/2026

Our energy and climate project, called STELLAR Rights, in which we examined the enforcement and enforceability of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, is slowly coming to an end.

https://justiceandenvironment.org/project/stellar/

🎙️But there is still a closing online conference in English on February 20th. We would like to invite everyone who is interested in energy security and a just transition to attend.

⌚️For now, we just ask you to save the date; the final program and registration link will be ready in a few days.

🌍Let's meet in February and talk about energy and climate issues.

Funded by the European Union.
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21/01/2026

As part of the ENRICH project, our partner Zelena Akcija will be hosting a unique training on 26 January that connects environmental protection with children’s rights.

The voices of children are essential in shaping a sustainable future, especially in times of climate change and the increasing devastation of nature.

Zelena akcija je udruženje građanki i građana za zaštitu okoliša i prirode te promicanje održivog razvoja u RH koja aktivno djeluje od 1990.

23/12/2025

The team at Justice and Environment wishes you a happy holiday season! ❤️

11/12/2025

Read the first newsletter of the EnvirRights project here

https://justiceandenvironment.org/news-posts/envirights-project-newsletter-no-1/

The general objective of the EnviRights project is to strengthen the promotion of the right to freedom of expression and demonstration in the context of youth-led (and not only) environmental activism within the European Union, in line with articles 11 and 12 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, by empowering and supporting environmental activists, better monitoring the respect of their rights and by fostering democratic dialogue with and awareness raising of media operators, public authorities and policy makers.

Funded by the European Union.
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04/12/2025

Last Thursday and Friday J&E held its Annual General Meeting in Budapest with the participation of 9 member organizations (out of 11 full members). We reaffirmed our pledge to serve the public with legal advice and representation in environmental cases and to continue our legal battles for transparency, inclusiveness and accountability in environmental matters.

We will continue the implementation of our ongoing projects, such as STELLAR (https://justiceandenvironment.org/project/stellar/), ENRICH (https://justiceandenvironment.org/project/enrich/) and BE LIFE (https://justiceandenvironment.org/project/belife/).

We also discussed funding options and identified critical areas where J&E wants to enter in order to raise its profile.

Our work is funded by the European Union.
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22/10/2025

EU Charter Rights Essential for Community Renewable Energy Development

The recent Prague and Brno workshops held by Frank Bold which involved 60 participants from municipalities, local initiatives and lawyers organized under the CERV STELLAR project highlighted a critical connection between EU fundamental rights and successful renewable energy development. Legal experts from Frank Bold and participation specialists from JINAG agency demonstrated how the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights provides essential tools for meaningful citizen engagement in climate and energy decisions.

Read more about the event here: https://justiceandenvironment.org/news-posts/eu-charter-rights-essential-for-community-renewable-energy-development/

Funded by the European Union.
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Workshop explores how fundamental rights framework can strengthen citizen participation in energy transition The recent Prague and Brno workshop which involved 60 participants from municipalities, local initiatives and lawyers organized under the CERV STELLAR project highlighted a critical connectio...