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| DROI0997-1 | EU Environmental Law and Climate Change
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| Duration : | 30h Th |
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| Number of credits : |
| Master in Law, Professional Focus in Business Law, 1st year | | Second semester | | 3 |
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| Master in Law, Professional Focus in Business Law, 2nd year | | Second semester | | 3 |
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| Master in Law, Professional Focus in Public and Administrative Law, 1st year | | Second semester | | 3 |
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| Master in Law, Professional Focus in Public and Administrative Law, 2nd year | | Second semester | | 3 |
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| Master in Law, Professional Focus in Private Law, 1st year | | Second semester | | 3 |
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| Master in Law, Professional Focus in Private Law, 2nd year | | Second semester | | 3 |
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| Master in Law, Professional focus in Criminal Law, 1st year | | Second semester | | 3 |
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| Master in Law, Professional focus in Criminal Law, 2nd year | | Second semester | | 3 |
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| Master in Law, Professional Focus in Labour Law, 1st year | | Second semester | | 3 |
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| Master in Law, Professional Focus in Labour Law, 2nd year | | Second semester | | 3 |
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| Lecturer : | Marjan Peeters |
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Language(s) of instruction :
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| English language |
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Course contents :
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| This course discusses the actual legislative framework as has been adopted by the EU legislature in order to combat climate change. The course starts with an introduction to the international legal framework as laid down in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992) and the Kyoto Protocol (1997). Next to that, the EU position towards the international negotiations in order to proceed with more effective agreements will be discussed. Then, the EU climate legislation will be discussed. We will review the emissions trading instrument and the burden sharing decision among Member States, together with other European climatge change legislation. Next to that we turn to how to adapt to the possible negative effects of climate change and what kind of legislation is needed for that, and whether that should be adopted by the EU or on the level of the Member States. The course concludes with the question what Member States can do in the field of climate protection. We focus inter alia on the United Kingdom where a Climate Change Act has been adopted in 2008 and will examine whether that is a good example for other EU member states. |
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Learning outcomes of the course :
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| The aim is to get coherent knowledge of the main political and regulatory choices adopted on the EU level with regard to climate change. This will be discussed in view of developments both on the international and national level.
Main learning goals are:
- capability to appy EU law on the specific problem of climate change
- thorough knowledge of the main elements of the regulatory package for climate protection adopted by the EU;
- thorough knowledge of selected court decisions in the field of climate change;
- understanding of the role the EU thus far has undertaken with regard to reaching an international agreement;
- understanding of the possible role of member states in the field of climate policies |
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Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
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| Basic knowledge of EU law (institutional aspects and internal market) is required |
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
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| The teaching method is a mix of classical ex cathedra lectures and active student participation. Students will be invited to discuss certain statements or questions from the teacher. They are invited to come forward with observations and reflections.
In addition, there is attention to devloping presentation and writing skills. Students need to prepare a short presentation or a written note in which they comment a case, directive or regulation (a list of topics will be provided at the start of the course). Depending on the number of students it will be decided at the start of the course whether this assignment needs to be performed through a presentation or a note.
Students can subscribe for a presentation by sending an email to the teacher before the first lecture. The rule first come, first serve will apply. Also at the end of the first lecture there will be an opportunity to subscribe. |
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Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
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| The course consists of 5 sessions each taking 2,5 hours. In addition, the students should prepare the assignment - and read additional literature with respect to that. |
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Recommended or required readings :
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| A reader will be provided through the library. The reader contains a selection of actual journal articles and book chapters. This means that the students will have the opportunity to read recent material on this fast developing field of law. |
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Assessment methods and criteria :
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| The grade for this course will consist of:
A: a maximum of 20 points for a presentation or a written note
B: a maximum of 20 points for a written exam (multiple choice) or, when the number of students is low, an oral exam.
The final grade will be determined by halving the total number as gained with A and B.
Students can subscribe for a presentation by sending an email to the teacher before the first lecture. The rule first come, first serve will apply. Also at the end of the first lecture there will be an opportunity to subscribe. |
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Organizational remarks :
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| Please find below the course schedule. Please note that rescheduling of the date may be possible. Reserve date for the lectures is 8 May 2011.
Schedule (lecture time: 13.30-16.00 hours)
LECTURE 1
6 March
Introduction to the course
The challenge of environmental law
International rule making: the case of climate change
Carbon trading on the international level
LECTURE 2
20 March
The EU position towards international climate negotiations
Introduction to EU Environmental Law (principles and competences)
LECTURE 3
27 March
European environmental law and climate change legislation :
(1) burden (and effort) sharing among member states
(2) greenhouse gas emissions trading
LECTURE 4
17 APRIL
European environmental law and climate change legislation: greenhouse gas emissions trading including discussion of case law,
Other EU approaches:
- renewable energy,
- carbon capture and storage.
LECTURE 5
24 April
What can member states do?
Harmonisation of European climate law and additional national climate legislation
Adaptation |
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Contacts :
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| The course will be given by a guest professor. There is ample time to contact her in person before or after each lecture.
Questions that are in the interest of the whole group can be submitted to the lecturer at the beginning of the lecture. |
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