The interdisciplinary team of lawyers and economists, headed by Prof. Dr. Dr. Juliane Kokott and consisting of Dr. Axel Klaphake, Dr. Simon Marr, Dr. Peter Beyer and Ute Beckert, recently finalized its study on international, European and national liability systems in relation to ecological damages, i.e. damages to water, soil and biodiversity. The study was commissioned by the German Federal Environmental Agency.

The study examines already existing national and international liability systems as well as economical compensation methods relating to ecological damages. On this basis, it elaborates key elements of a model liability system for ecological damages. Liability systems, from which practical experience could be gained, were of predominant interest for the examination. To this end, experiences from the US liability system and German compensation rules for ecological damages were particularly enlightening. The results of this study will help implement the European liability directive in Germany, which was only recently adopted by the Council.