Environmental responsibility of member states of the European union and candidate countries

Abstract

One of the priority values of the modern legal systems is the concept of environmental protection. The European Union has introduced the concept of environmental protection, i.e. liability and compensation for damage caused by wrongful acts directed against environmental values, as one of the fundamental principles firmly embedded in their legal system. Directive 2004/35/EC and Directive 2008/99/EC establish the legal framework for environmental liability systems of EU Member States. The first Directive 2004/35/EC does not deal with civil liability with regard to the prevention of environmental damage. Directive 2008/99/EC on the protection of the environment through criminal law lays down the principles to be followed by Member States in the field of environmental criminal law. Environmental crimes are becoming increasingly recognised as a serious threat to the 'rule of law' systems as one of the common values upon which the union is founded. The Directive 2008/99/EC should be seen as an important instrument of fight against environmental crime. It may be concluded that it is of crucial importance for EU Members States and Candidate Countries to implement the standards set out in the EU Environmental Directives.