The indicator measures to which extent the states states ensure opportunities for early and effective public participation in decision-making related to the environment.

This indicator is an arithmetic average of expert answers to questions on a scale from 0 (worst) to 3 (best): (8.1) To what extent does the law require the public concerned to have opportunities to participate in decision making related to the environment?; (8.2) To what extent does the law require public participation opportunities to be provided early in the decision-making process?; (8.3) To what extent does the law require that the public concerned be provided with information about its opportunities to participate early in the decision-making process?; (P8.1) Choose three recent controversial development projects (in terms of press coverage and potential cost and/or revenue of project) that were approved through an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process under national law. Were public notices given seeking comments on the EIA or its terms of reference?