Environmental mediation
Environmental mediation / mediation in the public sector is a form of mediation .
Typically, environmental law deals with the conflict between private and public interests as well as conflicts between several public and between private interests. Environmental mediation is therefore more appropriately called “mediation in the public sector” - in the area of tension between the environment, politics, economy and social issues. Often the authority acts as a guardian of the common good or for the public interests, which it has to look after ex officio. However, mediation in this context does not serve to gain acceptance for officially planned projects.
Environmental mediation is a voluntary, clearly structured procedure in which all those affected by an environmentally relevant project look for a common, permanent solution. These natural or legal persons are supported by professional, non-partisan mediators. The decision-making authority, however, remains with politics and administration.
As an instrument for conflict resolution and participation , environmental mediation is particularly suitable for use in projects in the infrastructure sector (e.g. road construction, railway and airport expansion), in the expansion and construction of operating facilities and in spatial planning tasks (site design). Environmental mediation can be used in municipalities and cities, on a regional and supra-regional level.
Possible areas of application are:
- Expansion or new construction of operating facilities, e.g. B. in the wood industry, mining, power generation, waste management
- Infrastructure projects (expansion / new construction of a road, railway lines, airport; energy industry; tourism and leisure facilities; telecommunication buildings, especially mobile radio transmission systems)
- Planning and concepts, e.g. B. zoning plans, spatial development concepts, regional waste management (location decision for treatment plants)