Module

Voraussetzungen

Inhalte

Lecture: Advanced Studies of International Environmental Law • Introduction to international law and international environmental law • Creation and development of international environmental law • Implementation and enforcement strategies of international environmental agreements • International environmental agreements with respect to the following topics: • Biodiversity (Biodiversity Convention/CITES/WHC). • Marine environment (Convention on the Law of the Sea) • Climate change (Climate Change Convention/Kyoto Protocol/Paris Agreement) • Ozone depletion (Convention for Protecting Ozone Layer/Montreal Protocol) • Toxic/hazardous substances (Basel Convention on Hazardous Waste) • Citizens rights to information, public participation and access to Justice Seminar: International Negotiations and Environmental Decision-Making • Challenges of international negotiations with a focus on climate change • Actors of global environmental governance and international environmental decision-making • State participation in global environmental governance • The role of non-state actors in environmental decision-making and negotiations • Simulation (role play) of an international conference (2 groups with maximum 35 students) At the beginning of the semester, the students will we be prepared to participate in a simulation of a multilateral negotiation process. (Climate Conference Simulation Groups). Each student in the simulation group will take the role of a relevant international player such as a country, an NGO, the private sector, or a subsidiary body. Participants will be required to prepare (in written and oral form) an assigned country/organisation engaged in the international environmental negotiation process to actively participate in the final role-play.

Lernziele

After completing the module, students should be able to: • Understand international environmental law and its role in the management of global environmental problems, • Identify and critically analyse issues pertaining to international environmental disputes, • Apply international environmental law in specific concrete cases, • Comprehend and evaluate the significance of international environmental law in protecting the environment and fostering international relations. After completing the seminar, students will: • Understand the way in which international agreements are achieved, • Understand the role various international actors play in decision making, • Have an understanding of the relevant actors who contribute to the outcome of international agreements, • Be able to make clear and convincing statements (orally and in written form), • Understand international decision-making procedures after playing an active role in a (simulated) negotiation process, • Have improved their skills in effectively arguing their case in relation to the topics discussed in class.

Prüfungsleistung

• Written Exam, 120 minutes (maximum 40 points) And Climate Conference Simulation Group: • Paper for preparation of the climate conference, 2 pages (maximum 15 points) • Simulation of a climate conference, 10 SWS (maximum 25 points) or Weekly seminars Group: • 10 pages essay submission on topics related to environmental negotiations and decision-making (maximum 40 points) To pass (grade 4,0) the module, students need to earn a minimum of 40 points.