What is the main goal of the Polluter Pays Principle?

The main goal of the Polluter Pays Principle is to internalize external costs and ensure an equitable distribution of benefits and burdens associated with environmental pollution. This principle operates on the idea that those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment. By holding polluters accountable for their actions, this approach encourages responsible behavior and promotes sustainable practices.

This principle seeks to create a fair system where both the costs of pollution mitigation and the benefits derived from resource use are shared appropriately. It is aimed at reducing the overall impact of pollution on society and the environment by making it financially advantageous for industries to adopt cleaner technologies and practices. Thus, it fosters accountability and encourages innovation in sustainability efforts.

Other options focus either on maximizing profits for industries, minimizing regulations, or shifting responsibility to non-profits, which don't align with the environmental accountability central to the Polluter Pays Principle.