EU law and policy on climate change

This course will focus on the analysis of the EU policy and legal framework on climate change. Its aim is not to be exhaustive, but to combine in-depth discussion of selected climate related topics with a critical understanding of the role of EU law and policy in dealing with them.

The course will begin by focusing on the key concepts, actors and tools surrounding the multi-level governance of climate change in the EU. It will discuss the relationship between international, EU and national law, actors and institutions involved in climate change mitigation and adaptation in the EU. From this perspective the course will address key questions such as e.g. the constitutional and Treaty foundations of EU climate law, the Paris Agreement and its relevance for EU climate governance, and the European Climate Law as a legal framework for climate neutrality.

The course will then analyse specific legal and policy actions addressing climate changewithin the EU. This part will focus on tools such as the European Union Emissions Trading System (ETS1 and ETS2), the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the LULUCF regulation, the EU Just Transition and the Effort sharing regulation. It will also cover areas such as renewable energy, public participation, or strategic climate litigation in the EU. We will look at the conceptual challenges and critique of these instruments and at their practical regulation. In the final session we will discuss ways to rethink climate change law and policy in the EU. The themes discussed may vary from year to year, depending on the current developments in the EU law and policy on climate change.

The aim of this course is to enable students to :

- Become familiar with the constitutional foundations, legal rules and institutional processes that govern current legal and policy responses to climate change in the EU;

- Develop a critical understanding of the different legal, regulatory and policy instruments/approaches available to address climate change and their advantages and disadvantages;

- Appreciate the tensions, debates and issues surrounding climate change mitigation and the multi-layered nature of legal responses to climate change.

Connaissances et compétences pré-requises ou co-requises

None.

This course is taught by seminar discussion (2hours /week). Students are expected to prepare for each class and to contribute to class discussion. Readings and materials for each sessions will be provided in advance on the UV.

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

A detailed handout will be avaiable to the students on the UV.

Support(s) de cours

• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Chiara Armeni 
chiara.armeni@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Rapport écrit

Rapport écrit

The course is assessed by a 3000-word essay.

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• anglais