Summary Public hearing on the Environmental Charter By Mr Claude BIRRAUX, MP (2003) At the request of the Committee of the National Assembly, the draft of the Environmental Charter that may be appended to the Constitution was laid before the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Choices. Contrary to the usual practice, the result of this procedure was not the preparation of a report but the holding of a public hearing, which took place on Thursday, 10th April 2003. The hearing was opened by Professor Yves Coppens, Chairman of the Environmental Charter drafting commission, and Robert Klapisch, Chairman of its scientific committee. It was attended by representatives of industry, research organisations and journalist groups, who discussed the Charter and environmental matters such as prevention, precautions, public involvement and information, and the Polluter-Pays principle. This document sets out the statements made and reports on the ensuing discussions.