Beyond transparency: assessing access to environmental information in Chile and the ability of providers and users to comprehend it

Abstract

This paper evaluates environmental information accessibility in Chile, aiming to identify gaps to enhance public management and citizen participation. The paper opens with a theoretical, practical and legal reference framework for information accessibility. This is followed by the main body of research comprising interviews with representatives from public authorities providing environmental information and with users of that information. An analysis of the results is then presented, followed by the discussion and conclusions emerging from the research work. This article identifies a number of information systems that provide data to measure progress and setbacks in environmental conditions and in public and private environmental management. However, access to information is failing to achieve its democratic objective. Although there are some benefits from the disclosure of environmental information, an overall lack of governance for information systems creates a series of obstacles that prevent the public from actively participating in environmental issues.