Introduction to Climate Change Law

Topics

The Module initially provides an introduction to the environmental, economic and ethical dimensions of climate change.

You will then:

• Examine the nexus between international law and climate change
• Examine Treaty-based law making rules and techniques
• appraises the evolution of the United Nations Climate Regime
• Critically evaluate the architecture of the Framework Convention on Climate Change is examined, and its legal status
• Appraise the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement
• Critically examine the climate governance beyond the UN climate change regime
• Critically review key legal cases in international climate change litigation 

The module concludes by identifying the distinctive features and assessing the  effectiveness of climate change law.

Learning Methods

This short course will be delivered online using the University’s virtual learning environment Moodle.

The course will take place with 8 recorded lectures which will provide an overview of the key issues and law discussed. Each lecture will be between 1 and 1.5 hours – but separated into manageable pieces.

Additional reading and activities will be set to help develop the overviews in the lectures and provide a means for students to deepen their learning and put it into context. The output from these activities will be to engage in postings and discussions in forums.

Students will be broken into study groups through which their engagement is checked and which will allow them to review and learn from each other.

The forum posting approach allows for asynchronous engagement – which facilitates a degree of flexibility within the structure of the course. Forum postings are mandatory. The other means of assessment is through a written coursework where the students will reflect on how the material covered can help to develop their approach.

Students will be able to ask tutors questions through RGU’s virtual learning environment.

There will be a number of optional live drop-in sessions to allow students to interact with each other and staff and ask questions.

Assessment

This course is assessed through set exercises and written assignments, including essays.

Independent Study

• Materials and exercises are available online, allowing participants to study flexibly and independently at time and place to fit around existing work and life commitments.
• Further reading resources and  online tutor support is also available online.

Staff Delivering on This Course

The course will be taught by a team of staff within the Law School at RGU. The team is drawn from the School's contract law experts, who have experience of teaching contract law at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as experience of delivering commercial training.

The team also includes academics who are responsible for course delivery, innovation and development.

A number of members of the team also have experience of commercial law practice.