Briefing for the European Commission: the Polluter Pays Principle in the just transition process – diagnosis and recommendations

Briefing    |    7 October 2021

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The Polluter Pays Principle (PPP) is one of the biggest concerns in the implementation of just transition support. This Principle should ensure that polluters bear the costs of their pollution and are incentivised to avoid environmental damage. However, in just transition processes across Europe, attempts are being made to shift the responsibility for land restoration away from the companies that have profited from mining and fossil fuel-fired energy production and into the Just Transition Fund (JTF) and other related funds. Thus, a stricter application of the Principle is necessary; however, the way it should be applied is currently unclear.

This briefing analyses the application of the Polluter Pays Principle in the Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTPs) in various CEE countries. It makes recommendations for ensuring proper enforcement of this Principle in the just transition process.

It also contains an annex, prepared by the European Environmental Bureau, which proposes a concrete checklist that would ensure TJTPs are compatible with the Polluter Pays Principle.

This publication was updated on 19 November 2021 with the logo and contact information for CAN Europe.