Module Database Search
| MODULE DESCRIPTOR | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title | |||
| Introduction to Climate Change Law | |||
| Reference | LLM002 | Version | 1 |
| Created | August 2022 | SCQF Level | SCQF 11 |
| Approved | November 2022 | SCQF Points | 15 |
| Amended | ECTS Points | 7.5 | |
| Aims of Module | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change is one of the major challenges of our time and adds considerable stress to our societies and to the environment. The main objective of the module is to address the principal national, regional and international legal rules and policies organised around the mitigation and adaptation to climate change. | |||
| Learning Outcomes for Module | |
|---|---|
| On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to: | |
| 1 | Critically appraise the evolution of international environmental law and the role of legal instruments and approaches to mitigating and adapting to climate change. |
| 2 | Critically analyse the roles of key actors in global climate change law ranging from governments, businesses, ecosystems and the environment (both voiceless), scientists, societies, lawyers, policymakers, and NGOs. |
| 3 | Critically appraise, as a result of climate change, the significant body of climate change cases against governments, companies, and individuals which have been decided globally. |
| 4 | Appreciate the overlaps and comprehend the complex relationship between climate change, human rights, sustainable development, intergenerational equality, environmental justice and institutional change. |
| Indicative Module Content |
|---|
| The Module initially provides an introduction to the environmental, economic and ethical dimensions of climate change; it then encompasses the nexus between international law and climate change; after examining Treaty-based law making rules and techniques, it appraises the evolution of the United Nations Climate Regime; the architecture of the Framework Convention on Climate Change is examined, and its legal status is critically evaluated; the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement are appraised; climate governance beyond the UN climate change regime is critically examined; key legal cases in international climate change litigation are critically reviewed; the module concludes by identifying the distinctive features and assessing the effectiveness of climate change law. |
| Module Delivery |
|---|
| The module will be delivered online through RGU's Upskilling platform. Interaction will be through forum postings where students will engage with set topics and discuss them with peers. |
| Indicative Student Workload | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| Contact Hours | N/A | 30 |
| Non-Contact Hours | N/A | 120 |
| Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours | N/A | N/A |
| TOTAL | N/A | 150 |
| Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body |
| ASSESSMENT PLAN | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only. | |||||
| Component 1 | |||||
| Type: | Practical Exam | Weighting: | 50% | Outcomes Assessed: | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Description: | Participation in required forum postings | ||||
| Component 2 | |||||
| Type: | Coursework | Weighting: | 50% | Outcomes Assessed: | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Description: | Completion of reflective coursework | ||||
| MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR | |
|---|---|
| Explanatory Text | |
| The module is assessed on a pass/fail model. Encouragement of participation is the key | |
| Module Grade | Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade: |
| Pass | Engagement with all of the relevant forum postings in a professional and detailed manner and an appropriately detailed and reflective submission of the written coursework. Further guidance given in course materials. |
| Fail | Failure to engage in the depth of work required |
| NS | Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination |
| Module Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites for Module | Students cannot do this module while enrolled on a Masters programme within RGU Law School |
| Corequisites for module | None. |
| Precluded Modules | None. |
| INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY | |
|---|---|
| 1 | BELL, S., MCGILLIVRAY, D., PEDERSEN, O.W., LEES, E., and STOKES, E., 2017. Environmental Law. 9th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. |
| 2 | BIRNIE, P.W., BOYLE, A. and REDGWELL, C., 2009. International law and the environment. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. |
| 3 | BODANSKY, D., BRUNNEE, J., RAJAMANI, L. 2017. International Climate Change Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press |
| 4 | MAYER, B. 2018. The International Law on Climate Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press |