28 127. To coordinate the permit process required under the Directive and the emissions trading scheme (see below), a permit issued in compliance with the Directive is not obliged to contain the emission limit values for greenhouse gases if they are subject to an emissions trading scheme, provided there is no local pollution problem. 128. All permit applications must be sent to the competent authority of the member state concerned. They must include information on the following points: – – – – – – – a description of the installation, the nature and scale of its activities and site conditions; materials, substances and energy used or generated; sources of emissions from the installation, the nature and quantities of foreseeable emissions into each medium and their environmental impact; the technology and techniques proposed to prevent or reduce emissions from the installation; waste prevention and recovery measures; emissions monitoring measures; possible alternative solutions. 129. The Directive requires the European Commission to organise an exchange of information between member states and the industries concerned on best available techniques. The reference document on best available techniques in large combustion plants (BREF) published by the Commission in May 2005 is one of the reference documents published in this connection and must be taken into account when determining best available techniques. Public information and participation 130. The Aarhus Convention (1998) on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters was approved on behalf of the Community by Decision 2005/370/EC. The Convention has been implemented by Directive 2003/4/EC on public access to environmental information. This encompasses any information in written, visual, aural or electronic form on the state of air and atmosphere, water, soil, land, flora and fauna, landscape and natural sites, together with activities and measures affecting or likely to affect them or that are intended to protect them, including administrative measures and environmental management programmes. The aim is to ensure that environmental information is systematically made available and disseminated to the public. This information should at least include international treaties, conventions or agreements and Community, national, regional or local legislation on the environment; environmental policies, plans and programmes; reports on the state of the environment; environmental authorisations and agreements; and environmental impact studies and risk assessments. Public authorities are required to make available environmental information held by or for them to any applicant at his request and without his having to state an interest. Member states must ensure that members of the public likely to be affected by an imminent threat to human health or the environment receive all relevant information held by the public authorities, immediately and without delay.