---
title: "Polluter pays principle — Definition & Meaning"
description: "The polluter pays principle states that those who pollute must cover the costs of environmental damage, crucial for civil services and policy-making."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/polluter-pays-principle"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The polluter pays principle holds that the entity responsible for producing pollution must bear the cost of preventing, controlling, and remediating the resulting environmental damage.
- Which international instruments established the polluter pays principle?
- How did Indian courts incorporate the polluter pays principle?
- How does the polluter pays principle relate to absolute liability?
- What is the main criticism of the polluter pays principle?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The polluter pays principle holds that the entity responsible for producing pollution must bear the cost of preventing, controlling, and remediating the resulting environmental damage.

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Example

In Vellore Citizens' Welfare Forum v. Union of India (1996), the Indian Supreme Court ordered Tamil Nadu's leather tanneries to pay compensation for polluting the Palar river, expressly adopting the polluter pays principle as law.

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