An examination of environmental restoration and funding regimes in Canada, Australia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States

From Australia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, selected environmental legislation, court decisions, and funding mechanisms were reviewed to determine how each country is financing restoration of environmental damage, and in particular, whether or not the "polluter-pays" principle is being applied when penalties are linked to environmental damage. Environmental legislation from New South Wales, Australia, the United States, and Canada all have options for addressing restoration of environmental damage and court decisions are linking penalties to offender behaviour. The United Kingdom and Swedish regimes do not have similar provisions. Eighteen environmental funds were reviewed and while all focus on environmental protection through various functions, only five funds accept court ordered penalties and direct funding into restoration efforts. This study has demonstrated that a successful restoration regime must endorse and apply the "polluter-pays" principle when holding polluters accountable for their actions.