Submission to Polluter Pays Principle environment fitness check

The polluter pays principle (PPP), while recognised as a key principle underlying EU Environmental policy, has not been well applied and implemented. A fitness check whether the PPP has been effective is necessary. The PPP should ensure the full internalisation of negative environmental externalities, make the polluter pay, reduce and prevent pollution and provide a legal recourse for justice and compensation for environmental and health damages. However, it is restricted to taxation and market-based instruments and does not provide any recourse to compensation for environmental, health and climate damage.