282bcyoud nat.ional jurisdiction of States or the so-called "global commone". The Special Happorteut examined a ember of issues. They related to policy and the applicability of important components of the theory of liability constic~lting the present approach to the topic so far to harm to “global commons". It was evident. he felt, that industrial civilisation had reached a point in which harm was being caused either in small quantities, but repeatedly. or in large amounts by accidents, but occasionally, to the environtiletl? in areas beyond national jurisdiction of States. The question w88 what wetr the best ways of confronting the problem. The choice had to be made between, tile two topics currently before the Cosnsission, either within the framework of liability in this topic or within the framework of responsibility for wrocgfuf acts in the topic of State responsibility. 527. As regards the applicability of some important components of theory of liability forming the basis of the present topic, the Special Rapporteur referred to two elements: (a) the concept of harm and (b) the concept of affected states. He noted that two possibilities existed when harm occurred in the areas beyond national jurisdiction ,either that harm affected persons and property or that it affected the environment pat se. The former possibility was already anticipated and hence came within the framework of the international liability topic. The latter possibility, namely harm to the environment per se in areas beyond national jurisdiction, however, posed considerable difficulty because that type of harm was not covered in the concept of harm appropriate for the international liability topic. Be noted that harm to the environment u as an independent ground for liability was new ~SZW~ thnt if such harm was to be measured on the basis of its impact on
**Analysis**
The text discusses the concept of liability and responsibility for harm caused to the environment in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which suggests a strong connection to the natural resources and environment. The language used, such as "harm to the environment", "environmental harm", and "areas beyond national jurisdiction", further supports this hypothesis.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment