ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND LIABILITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HARM

Abstract

The assessment of environmental damage and the establishment of liability for environmental harm have become key components of global environmental governance. As industrialization and economic activity intensify, the need to ensure accountability for pollution, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation has grown significantly. This article examines international and national mechanisms for environmental damage assessment, highlighting how legal, economic, and scientific approaches interact in defining liability and compensation. By comparing regulatory systems of the European Union, the United States, Japan, and Russia, the study reveals differences in how countries evaluate ecological damage and impose responsibility. The research concludes that effective liability frameworks not only deter environmental violations but also foster sustainable behavior among corporations and governments by integrating environmental risk into economic decision-making.