Starting in international law, through regional to national law, and combining the disciplines of environmental law, liability law and insurance, this analysis covers the development of reparative environmental law.;In the model adopted, three generations of reparative schemes are identified, based on civil liability or administrative liability, or self-taken measures from the area of insurance. The analysis applied is based on factors of standard and designation of liability, as well as the definition and assessment of environmental damage. Issues such as environmental lender liability and damage to public natural resources are highlighted. The results of the study are evaluated within the framework of a theory of environmental efficiency; among other factors, the reparative effect of liability rules is discussed.