The polluter pays principle in effect says that if found to be environmentally damaging, the actor/developer needs to compensate people as well as bear costs of environmental restoration.
The ruling acknowledged the polluter pays principle but said in this case it did not give the province any special status that would move it ahead of other creditors.
Member states may seek an exemption from applying the polluter pays principle if they can demonstrate that their overall plan allows them to achieve the objectives of the directive.