JUS5911 - International Climate Change and Energy Law
Course content
This course reviews the sources and principles of international climate and energy law, the interactions of the commitments under both regimes, and the new opportunities it creates for the promotion of sustainable energy, energy efficiency, and corporate responsibility. In particular, the course is based on a detailed examination of the following topics: the international climate change regime (UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol) and the related legal mechanisms; the regulatory approaches for the involvement of companies in achieving a sustainable development and combating climate change; the legal obligations deriving from the climate regime and affecting the energy sector (a major source of emissions); the international regulation of renewable energy sources and their support; the promotion of energy efficiency measures; an assessment of the existing trade barriers raised for the defence of climate change or how to make energy trade climate friendly.
Learning outcome
During this course, students will acquire a thorough understanding of the following topics based on the literature, lectures and case studies:
- Foundations and sources of international climate and energy law.
- Principles of international climate and energy law: Common But Differentiated responsibility, Sustainable development, Precautionary Principle, Polluter Pays principle, Sovereignty, Jurisdiction
- Implementation, enforcement and non-compliance procedures
- Regulatory approaches concerning the involvement of companies
- Main issues related to the international climate change regime (in particular the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol)
- Main issues related to the regulation of energy as impacted by the climate change regime (access to natural resources, energy production, transportation, supply and consumption patterns)
- The issues of climate change, energy security, sustainable development and human rights
- The relationship between international trade rules and international climate & energy law.
Within some of these topics a case study is used as a point of departure for a thorough examination of a specific issue. The cases will be presented at appropriate times during the course, and relevant material will be handed out.
The course will mainly have public international law components, but will also include comparative studies, which highlight fundamental parallels/differences in terms of law principles, enforcement and regulatory techniques. There are a variety of national regulatory approaches to climate change.
Admission
Id does not exist in shared textYou may register for this course if you have admission to a Master’s programme at UiO or the faculty's exchange programme. You can also register for this course if you do not have admission to any programme at UiO, but meet the formal prerequistites.
All students are required meet the formal prerequistites.
Have you met the formal prerequisites at another institution than the University of Oslo, and the results are not formally registered at UiO, you must apply for admission to courses at Master’s level . Students with admission to Master’s degree programmes at other faculties than The Faculty of Law must also apply for admission.
When your admission is in order you must register for courses in StudentWeb
Id does not exist in shared textPrerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Students must fill one of these requirements:
- Passed 1st - 3rd year of studies in Master's of Law (masterstudiet i rettsvitenskap at UiO) or examinations that qualify for exemption from these) or
- Having a 5-years Master’s degree in Laws (masterstudiet i rettsvitenskap at UiO) or equivalent.
Students with admission to the faculty’s exchange programme and students with admission to any master’s degree programme at the University of Oslo (except masterstudiet i rettsvitenskap) has an exemption from the formal prerequisites.
Recommended previous knowledge
Students are expected to have prior knowledge of public international law.
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap with JUR5911 - International Climate Change and Energy Law (discontinued).Teaching
Language of teaching for this course is English. This means that all
communication during lectures/seminars will be in English, and all
literature and auxiliary materials are in English.
Teaching is structured in 24 lectures and two seminars, where student participation is strongly recommended. Students obtain knowledge and competences as outlined above by individual studies of course literature and other course material, and by taking active part at the lectures and seminars.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
4 hour written examination.
Examination support material
Id does not exist in shared textRegulations for support materials permitted at examination for courses taught in English . Please read all three chapters.
Language of examination
Id does not exist in shared textThe language of examination for this course is English. This means
that the examination question will be given in English, and students
may answer in English only.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
You may request an explanation of your grades, and you may also appeal against your grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals.
Resit an examination
You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam.
Withdrawal from an examination
A student may sit this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do so in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit the exam.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, periodic evaluation of this course.
Other
The language for this course is English. Students enrolled in the
Masterprogrammet i rettsvitenskap must pass one
English subject as part of their degree, this course will meet these
obligations.