This course offers a rigorous exploration of the legal dimensions of climate change, examining how domestic, international, and transnational legal regimes address the causes and consequences of a warming planet. It focuses on the evolving body of law designed to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, manage adaptation and resilience strategies, assign liability for climate-related harm, and govern climate finance and technology transfer.
Students will study key statutes such as the Clean Air Act, landmark international agreements like the Paris Agreement, and the growing field of climate litigation. The course also explores the intersections of climate law with environmental justice, human rights, corporate accountability, and emerging issues such as climate migration and the use of geoengineering technologies.
Special attention is paid to the institutional frameworks, political dynamics, and implementation challenges that shape climate law in practice. Designed for future legal practitioners, policymakers, and advocates, this course blends doctrinal instruction with analysis of real-world legal strategies to combat climate change.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
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Understand the scientific basis and legal implications of climate change.
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Analyze major domestic and international legal instruments governing climate change.
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Evaluate regulatory, market-based, and litigation tools used to address emissions and adaptation.
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Critically assess the effectiveness and equity of legal responses across jurisdictions.
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Understand how climate change law interacts with energy law, human rights, trade, and land use.
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Identify legal challenges and opportunities in implementing climate-related commitments.
