Participatory rights for the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment refer to access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters. In Europe, these rights are recognised by the Aarhus convention and through EU and national legislation. Currently participatory rights for the environment are challenged to various degrees, even in countries like Sweden. Considering the international solidarity principle and that the biodiversity, climate change and water planetary crisis are transboundary, Europe can also learn from other regions such as the Escazu Agreement in Latin America and the Caribbean and the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. This panel will highlight the importance of participatory rights for the right to a healthy environment, how they are challenged and how, by using them, the public may contribute to better bases for environmental decisions, greater impact of environmental laws, decrease in corruption and strengthened democracy. It will also present new guidance for individuals and associations who wish to use their participatory rights.