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The main focus of this paper lies with the national laws of three European countries (Germany, Austria and Hungary), as well as the EU law, relating to liability for damage caused by nuclear plant. The aforesaid European countries have enacted legislation prescribing stringent rules on liability of the operators of nuclear plants, meaning that for some forms of legally recognized harm (death, injury, damage to health) the operator incurs liability, even if damage was caused by force major. This type of strict liability, whereby force major is not reason for exculpation, provided that the damage could be related to functioning of the plant, is named absolute liability. In addition, some regimes introduce presumption of causality, when it is more likely than not that damage resulted from the effects of nuclear plants (or ionizing radiation, or secondary nuclear waste materials). The author also analyzes national and European rules on prevention of nuclear and other environmental damage, which includes the creation of the registry of nuclear plants with relevant data on domestic and European operators, the mechanisms of control of the operators, the requirement of preliminary ecological analysis in the construction of new plants, etc. In addition, the author observes differences between nuclear damage in broad and in narrow sense. The former is, in principle, redressed generally, to the extent possible. The latter is commonly redressed individually, to the extent prescribed by statutes.

The aim of this paper is to point out the problems in the field of energy efficiency in Serbia and the needs for systematic measures for energy efficiency improvement in order to create appropriate conditions for sustainable industrial growth and development. The paper is consisted of three chapters and concluding remarks. In the first chapter was emphasized very low level of energy efficiency in Serbia, as well as very high energy intensity. This chapter provides also an analysis of structure of energy consumption in Serbia and selected neighboring countries. The legal framework for energy efficiency improvement in European Union and Serbia is presented in the second chapter of the paper. The adequate measures suggested by national policy for energy efficiency in order to stimulate industrial development are described in the third chapter. Finally, the last chapter summarizes key messages of the paper.

This paper provides an overview of the most important elements of the Chinese and the European Union policies (EU) in the field of environment. The first part of the paper points to some characteristics of the environmental situation in China, the strategic framework and basic regulations of China in the environmental field. In particular, it emohasizes the main elements of importance for understanding the position of China in contemporary policies in the area of climate change. The second part of the paper analyzes the development and the basic elements of EU policy in the field of environment and climate change. The third part is devoted to the international legal aspects of contemporary policies in the field of environ­ment and the status of China, i.e. the EU and other countries in the most important international treaties in the environmental field. The main objective of this paper is to determine the similarities and differences in the policies of China, i.e. of the European Union in the field of environment and climate change. Criteria for the comparison include several elements: environmental assessment and contribution to global climate change, the historical development of policy and environmental law, policy objectives, the structure of the existing regulations in the field of environment, attitude towards international obligations and membership in international treaties of the global character, etc. The thesis is considered that the common elements of the policies of China and the EU in the field of environment are primarily determined by processes at the international level, the recognition of the need for solving global environmental problems and memberships in the relevant international treaties. In this regard, it is noted that there are certain elements that could be considered as a common policy for China and the EU in the field of environment, but that there were significant differences depending on the special social and economic development and the overall position in the international community.

Climate change, caused by anthropogenic factor, is one of the biggest global challenges. Universal interest for slowing climate change by adequate reduction of global emission of greenhouse gases and universal interest that all nations become capable to overcome effects of global change is beyond dispute. Global and local allocation of expenses of realization of the mentioned interests is a matter of global and local disputes. The Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is searching for new formula of equitable distribution of the expenses that would be acceptable for all. The formula should reconcile efficient reduction of global emissions and securing sustainable development for all. International protection of human rights offers a possibility to turn attention to interests of individuals in the context of climate change.

The paper highlights certain open methodological issues relevant to the analysis of the comparative politics and climate change law. The second part of the paper focuses on the basic elements of the law and politics of the climate change in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and Serbia. For the basis of the analysis several criteria have been taken: membership in the international treaties, status in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and reporting, the existence and development of the climate change legislation (the constitutional provision, content and availability of regulations, climate change in the framework environmental law), the existence of the specific regulations governing the rational use of the energy and renewable energy sources, as well as the level of compliance of the national legislation with EU regulations. Having identified some differences in the state of national regulative on climate change (primarily between Croatia and other countries) the paper expounds the thesis that the key factor that determines the status of national policies and regulations (of the states under this analysis) is the process of the European integration. In conclusion of the analysis it is estimated that the progress in this process is directly correlated with the level of the development of national legislation and implementation of international obligations.