The indicator measures to which extent the states encourage the development and use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms where these are appropriate. In scoring this indicator, “alternate dispute resolution mechanisms” include mediation, conciliation, or arbitration adopted by institutions as a means of resolving environmental disputes.

This indicator is an arithmetic average of expert answers to questions on a scale from 0 (worst) to 3 (best): (26.1) To what extent does the law provide for the possibility to use alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to address violations of the right of access to environmental information, public participation or cases of environmental harm?; (26.2) To what extent does the law provide incentives for the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms where these are appropriate?; (P26.1) In the last 5 years, has a public interest case relating to the environment or natural resources been solved by an alternate conflict resolution method (such as mediation, arbitration and conciliation)?