This book examines in line with the demands of the Aarhus Convention the participation
opportunities for civil society organizations in the area of environmental protection at the
European Union (EU) Institutions throughout the policy cycle as a whole. The study aims at
alleviating the paradox that arises in litigation in environmental matters before the European
Court of Justice. For this purpose the current standing rules are assessed and potential
reforms are discussed in detail. Based on the rules existing in for instance the EU Member
States and the USA the author formulates a proposal for a new article in the Statutes and
Rules of Procedure of the European Court of Justice to allow for the submission of amicus
curiae briefs.
