Corporate Accountability for Environmental Damage: Reaffirming the ‘polluter Pays’ Principle

Abstract

The rapid expansion of industrial and corporate activity has intensified the pressure on natural ecosystems, raising urgent questions about the legal accountability of corporations for environmental degradation. The ‘Polluter Pays’ Principle (PPP) serves as a cornerstone of environmental jurisprudence, mandating that those responsible for pollution must bear the cost of prevention, control, and remediation. This paper explores the evolving dimensions of corporate accountability for environmental harm through the lens of the PPP. It examines statutory frameworks, judicial interpretations, and policy developments in India that have sought to operationalize this doctrine. The study further situates India’s approach within a comparative context, analysing global best practices that strengthen corporate environmental responsibility. It argues that reaffirming the PPP through enhanced corporate due diligence, ESG-based compliance, and judicial enforcement is vital for realizing the constitutional promise of environmental protection and sustainable development.