Program Overview

International Environmental LawLAWS 342

Course Overview

International Environmental LawLAWS 342 is a course offered by Te Herenga WakaVictoria University of Wellington. The course examines international environmental law with reference to global environmental problems, including protection of biodiversity, ecosystems, and wildlife, climate change, and marine environmental protection.

Course Details

• Fees: NZ$1,020.00 for domestic students, NZ$5,165.40 for international students
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 150 hours
• Points: 15 points
• Availability: Limited entry
• Prerequisites: 60 LAWS 200-level points
• Corequisites: 60 further LAWS 200-level points, LAWS 301
• Restrictions: None
• Taught by: School of Law Faculty of Law

About this Course

This course examines international environmental law with reference to global environmental problems, including protection of biodiversity, ecosystems, and wildlife, climate change, and marine environmental protection. In addition, future and cross-cutting challenges of international law relevant to the environment will be discussed, including regional approaches, human rights, and trade and the environment.

Course Structure

The course will be structured around the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on Climate Change issued in July 2025. The rough structure of the course is as follows:

• Week one: Overview of the Advisory Opinion, introduction to environmental problems and regulation, customary international law, and guiding principles
• Week two: Continue climate change treaties, obligations under other treaties
• Week three: Finish examination of other treaties, human rights and the environment, other cross-cutting issues, future of international environmental law

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course will be able to:

• Demonstrate familiarity with the challenges facing the development and enforcement of international environmental law
• Apply principles of international environmental law and the provisions of international environmental law treaties to fact situations
• Critically examine international environmental law processes and recommend improvements

How this Course is Taught

This course is taught primarily through interactive lectures. Students are expected to read the preparatory material and be prepared to discuss the issues in class. Recordings of the lectures will be available after the class. In-person attendance is required for some assessment.

Assessment

• 3 weekly quizzes based on readings and class: 30%
• In-class participation: 10%
• 3-hour in-person test: 60%

What you'll need to get

• Required Texts:
  • International Court of Justice, Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change
  • Pierre-Marie Dupuy and Jorge E Vińuales, International Environmental Law (2nd ed, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2018)
• Recommended Texts:
  • Patricia Birnie and Alan Boyle, International Law and the Environment (4 ed, OUP, Oxford, 2021)
  • Jutta Brunnée, Daniel Bodansky, Ellen Hey, The Oxford Handbook of International Environmental Law (Oxford University Press, 2007)
  • Philippe Sands et al, Principles of International Environmental Law (Manchester University Press, 2012, 3 ed)
  • Eli Louka, International Environmental Law: Fairness, Effectiveness, and World Order (Cambridge University Press, New York, 2006)