Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Copenhagen offers a comprehensive program in Climate Change and the Law, which is divided into three parts. The first part provides an introduction to International Law and EU Law, including the principles of international environmental law and the sustainable development goals. The second part focuses on the EU regime on climate change, covering EU competences, international commitments, and legislation on greenhouse gases. The third part explores sectoral aspects of climate change, including the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions in venues outside the climate regime and the interaction with it.

Course Description

The course, JJUA55120U Climate Change and the Law, is a 15 ECTS credit course that builds upon the MA education by applying legal methodology within the specialized area of climate change adaptation and mitigation. The course does not require prior knowledge of specific courses, but it is advantageous to have some knowledge of international law, international environmental law, and EU law.

Learning Outcomes

The student will be able to:

• Describe and understand the natural greenhouse effect and the way various human activities are increasing emissions of the natural greenhouse gases
• Demonstrate knowledge of the legal and social perspectives of the climate change problem and the concept of sustainable development
• Explain the ways and strategies that may come into play to combat climate change
• Understand the legal regime for climate change at both the international and EU levels and the allocation of rights and obligations between the state parties
• Identify the relevant legal sources in international and EU law on climate change related matters
• Analyze and solve complex legal questions within climate change law
• Analyze the various new legal mechanisms to reduce GHG emissions and promote mitigation measures within aviation, shipping, green energy, and energy conservation, and the relationship between them
• Provide a solid argumentation for the choice between different ways to adapt to and mitigate climate change
• Advise on the application of new legal instruments, including market-based and "command and control" instruments in climate change law
• Elaborate arguments on the benefits and disadvantages of different policy and legal measures
• Understand the dynamic and complex interface between climate and energy-related legislation in international and EU law

Literature

A collection of book chapters, articles, and extracts of reports will be made available in digital form. Primary legal material, including conventions, legislation, and case law, will be made available on the Absalon web-page.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course will include lecturing by the teacher, analysis and presentation of cases and law by the students, group work, problem-solving, relevant video spots from YouTube, and a mock exam.

Workload

• Lectures: 56 hours
• Preparation: 356.5 hours
• Total: 412.5 hours

Assessment

The course will be assessed through an oral examination, 20 minutes, with no preparation. The marking scale will be a 7-point grading scale, and the exam will be externally censored.

Course Information

• Language: English
• Course code: JJUA55120U
• Credit: 15 ECTS
• Level: Full Degree Master
• Duration: 1 semester
• Placement: Autumn
• Schedule: Please see schedule for teaching time
• Continuing and further education: Price DKK 15,000
• Study board: Law
• Contracting department: Law
• Course Coordinators: Anita Rønne