The indicator measures to which extent the states ensure that the members of the public concerned have access to a court of law or other independent and impartial body or administrative procedures to challenge any decision, act or omission by public authorities or private actors that affects the environment or allegedly violates the substantive or procedural legal norms of the State related to the environment.

This indicator is an arithmetic average of expert answers to questions on a scale from 0 (worst) to 3 (best): (17.1) To what extent does the law give rights to the public concerned to challenge any decision, act or omission by public authorities that allegedly violates the procedural legal norms of the state relating to the environment?; (17.2) To what extent does the law give rights to the public concerned to challenge any decision, act or omission by private actors that allegedly violates the substantive legal norms of the state relating to the environment?; (17.3) To what extent does the law give rights to the public concerned to challenge any decision, act or omission by private actors that allegedly violates the procedural legal norms of the State relating to the environment?; (17.4) To what extent does the law require the challenges referred to in indicators 1-3 to be heard by an independent and impartial body?; (P17.1) Have there been cases in the last 5 years when civil society filed a lawsuit against a polluter in a national court?; (P17.2) Have there been cases in the last 5 years when civil society filed a lawsuit in a national court challenging a government decision, policy, or rule affecting the environment?