Countries' Commitment to the Right to Access Information in the Anthropocene Era: Preventing Greenwashing

This research, using an analytical-descriptive method, examines the challenges and strategies for preventing greenwashing in the Anthropocene era and the role of the right to access information in this process. Climate change, as one of the greatest threats to human rights, requires transparent and accurate information to counter greenwashing and ensure the accountability of governments and companies in this regard. The use of international rules such as the Aarhus Convention, aimed at international cooperation, is considered vital for increasing transparency and preventing the dissemination of false information. Thus, in the discussion of the right to access information as a tool for preventing greenwashing, the role of civil society and the media in raising public awareness, and the necessity of international cooperation to combat it, are of utmost importance and demonstrate the real commitment of governments to create necessary and appropriate grounds for access to such information. Human rights and the environment are inherently intertwined, and the process of forming environmental human rights, especially after the issuance of the Stockholm and Rio Declarations, shows that human rights (despite older documents) and the environment have developed in parallel to this day. Although recent years have seen numerous international actions to identify the obligations of countries and their nature in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, many challenges, including the real willingness of governments and large companies to achieve this issue, still exist. Climate change, as one of the greatest threats to ensuring and protecting human rights globally, can be observed in various areas such as water security and air pollution, with the occurrence of dust storms and prolonged droughts in our country being evidence of this claim. Climate change also threatens the achievement of sustainable development and the future of humanity, which can lead to widespread violations of human rights. In the Anthropocene era, where human activities have profoundly affected the natural functioning of the Earth, the importance of access to accurate and transparent information to prevent further deterioration of conditions is more evident than ever. The right to access information can be considered both an individual and collective right, encompassing the right to be informed about any subject that has a negative or potentially negative impact on the environment. This obligation creates a duty for government officials to provide accurate and complete information about the environmental consequences of development projects, the presence of pollutants, or industrial or agricultural waste, with the aim that individuals and communities can meaningfully participate in decision-making and prevent actions such as greenwashing by major international actors through concealing information or providing false information. This technique, often used to promote erroneous solutions to the climate crisis, not only fails to reduce climate change but also allows the harmful emission of gases to continue under the guise of human rights. This research seeks to answer the question of how the right to access information in the Anthropocene era can help prevent greenwashing by governments and companies, and what strategies and tools exist to identify and combat greenwashing. The environment, as a highly important value, needs protection through various legal means. In this regard, the right to access information, as a procedural right that complements the right to participate in decision-making processes, is of utmost importance. The results of this research show that the right to access information in the Anthropocene era can be an effective tool for preventing greenwashing and increasing the accountability of governments and companies. Transparent and accurate information not only increases public awareness but also enables meaningful public participation in environmental decision-making. The use of legal frameworks and international standards, such as the Aarhus Convention and international cooperation, are vital tools for increasing transparency and preventing the dissemination of false information. The active role of civil society and the media in ensuring information transparency and combating greenwashing is of great importance. These institutions can contribute to increasing transparency and reducing greenwashing by publishing reports and scientific data, monitoring the performance of companies and governments, and organizing educational and awareness programs. International cooperation between governments and international organizations can help exchange experiences, develop international standards, and strengthen national and local capacities. These collaborations can also aid in developing digital platforms for sharing information related to climate change and human rights and ensuring public participation in decision-making. The use of modern technologies, especially artificial intelligence, can improve the management and access to information and facilitate international cooperation and the exchange of successful experiences between countries in the field of the right to access information.