“The report is the first publication resulting from The Access Initiative, a global coalition launched by the World Resources Institute in November 2000. Together with colleagues from nine countries, the authors pilot-tested an innovative methodology to assess how well governments are performing in providing public access to environmental decision making. This methodology represents the first attempt to measure not just the laws governing access but also the practice of access in a variety of national contexts. The first application of the methodology suggests that effective national public participation systems share common elements and that governments can learn from each other. It also suggests that these common elements can be assessed with a common framework of indicators and that regular, independent monitoring is likely to accelerate further progress.” Reference: Closing the Gap