International and EU Environmental Law

This course offers an overview of how international and EU law responds to today's most pressing environmental problems. It shows which unique solutions, and problems, the legal system presents in addressing these environmental problems. We discuss topics such as climate change, biodiversity, and the role of human rights. Overarching themes include the interaction and overlap of national and international legal systems in addressing environmental problems, and the role of individuals in these processes. In order to provide students with a solid foundation, fundamentals of national, EU and international (environmental) law are also set out, leading to the development of legal skills and knowledge that students can use beyond the current course.

• Discuss the main regulatory challenges for environmental law from a global, national and local perspective

• Identify the key public and private actors, institutions and processes of international and EU environmental law

• Appraise the different ways in which law can protect, and endanger, the environment

• Critically compare different approaches to tackle environmental problems

• Assignment other (30%) This individual assignment is divided into three parts, each counting for 10%, submitted over the course of three weeks.
• Written test with open and closed questions (70%) The resit of the written test will be an oral test

No legal knowledge assumed. LAW12806 Introduction to Law for the Life Sciences is recommended but optional.

• van Zeben and Rowell, A Guide to EU Environmental Law, University of California Press (2020) Additional readings provided through Brightspace.