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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
International Climate Change Law
Reference LLM028 Version 4
Created August 2023 SCQF Level SCQF 11
Approved February 2019 SCQF Points 15
Amended August 2023 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
This module is based on lecture notes and other learning materials and problem exercises available on the RGU Virtual Campus/RGU network/face-to-face classes.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 36 36
Non-Contact Hours 114 114
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 150
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: Coursework Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4
Description: Distance Learning: Forum postings (Weighting: 100%) On Campus: One coursework essay (Weighting: 30%)

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
The calculation of the overall grade for this module is based on 100% weighting of C1. An overall minimum grade D is required to pass the module.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A The student needs to achieve an A grade in C1.
B The student needs to achieve a B grade in C1.
C The student needs to achieve a C grade in C1.
D The student needs to achieve a D grade in C1.
E The student needs to achieve an E grade in C1.
F The student needs to achieve an F grade in C1.
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module None.
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 DESSLER, A. 2016. Introduction to Modern Climate Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
5 ISENBERG, A.C. (Ed.) 2014.The Oxford Handbook of Environmental History. Oxford: Oxford University Press
6 MAYER, B. 2018. The International Law on Climate Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press


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