Aktuelle Modulbeschreibung

Module Number: 11284
Module Title: Advanced Studies in International Environmental Law
  Internationales Umweltrecht für Fortgeschrittene
Department: Faculty 4 - Environmental Sciences and Process Engineering
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Dr. iur. Albrecht, Eike
Language of Teaching: English
Duration: 1 semester
Frequency of Offer: Every winter semester
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome: Rationale
As the scale of global environmental problems keep on increasing, there is a need for strategies to effectively use international environmental law in mitigating the challenges. International environmental law is essential in addressing the environmental problems and constitutes an important baseline for global environmental governance. This module which is made up of a lecture and two seminars will provide an in-depth knowledge of international environmental law implementation and enforcement mechanisms in view of addressing global environmental problems.

Part I: Advanced Studies in International Environmental Law (Lecture, 2 SWS)
The establishment of international environmental agreements and the functioning of these agreements are essential to providing solutions to global environmental problems. The objective of the lecture is to provide a deep understanding of the compliance strategies of international environmental problems such as biodiversity loss, global warming, marine pollution, ozone layer depletion and hazardous substances. Citizens right to information, public participation, access to justice and the intersection between international environmental law and world trade will be covered.

After completing the lecture, students should be able to:  
  • Understand the role of international environmental law 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          
Part II: Environmental Governance in Developing Countries (Seminar, 2 SWS)
International environmental law constitute the basis of global environmental governance but implementation at the national level has not been as desired especially in developing countries where environmental governance is often weak. Environmental governance that is robust should be in place at all levels to respond effectively to environmental challenges. The objective of this seminar is to provide a profound understanding of developing countries efforts to address global environmental problems through environmental governance, challenges they encounter and possible solutions.

After completing the seminar, students should be able to:
  • Understand the concept, actors and instruments of environmental governance
  • Comprehend the role of environmental governance in addressing global environmental problems within the context of developing countries
  • Identify challenges of environmental governance in developing countries and possible solutions
  • Determine the extent to which environmental governance approaches could help in addressing major environmental problems
Part III: German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and Climate Change (Seminar, 2 SWS)
Global climate variation is a menace that is already having initial discernible impacts that are noticeable in every part of the world. The challenges of climate protection are connected and inseparable with the ever increasing demand for energy worldwide. The energy sector is the highest emitter of GHGs and CFCs which cause climate change and ozone depletion. The legislative attempt to establish a long-term use of renewable energies in the energy generation concept of Germany is found primarily in EEG which contributes in enabling the country to meet its commitments under the climate change agreements. The objective of the seminar is to provide an understanding of the EEG and how it contributes in enabling Germany to meet its commitments under the Climate Framework Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

After completing the seminar, students should be able to:
  • Understand the role of EEG in the German energy strategy
  • Determine the extent to which the EEG promotes the growth and expansion of renewable energy resources
  • Possess in-depth knowledge of the EEG and its objectives
  • Identify challenges of climate change and the role played by the energy sector
Contents:

Part I: Advanced Studies in International Environmental Law (Lecture, 2 SWS)

  • 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)
  • Ozone depletion (Convention for Protecting Ozone Layer/Montreal Protocol)
  • Toxic/hazardous substances (Basel Convention on Harzardous Waste)
  • International environmental law and world trade
  • Citizens rights to information, public participation and access to Justice

Part II: Environmental Governance in Developing Countries (Seminar, 2 SWS)

  • Introduction to environmental governance
  • Principles and processes of environmental governance
  • Environmental governance system and issues
  • International environmental agreements and actors of global environmental governance
  • States’ participation in global environmental governance
  • Corporate environmental governance
  • Developing countries and environmental governance approaches
  • Challenges facing environmental governance and possible solutions

Part III: German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and Climate Change (Seminar, 2 SWS)

  • Climate change and the energy sector
  • The German energy strategy
  • Transposition of the international environmental legal framework into German national law
  • The Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG)
  • Challenges and outlook
Recommended Prerequisites: Module “International Environmental Law”
Mandatory Prerequisites: None
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Lecture / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Seminar / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Self organised studies / 120 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature: Lecture:
  • Albrecht/Hoffmann/Knopp, Selected Conventions and Treaties on International Environmental Law, 3rd ed., 2007
  • Lakshman/Guruswamy/Hendricks, International Environmental Law in a Nutshell 3rd ed; Hunter/Salzman/Zaelke, International Environmental Law and Policy, 3rd ed., 2007
  • Birnie/Boyle/Redgwell, International Law and the Environment, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, 2009
  • Schmidt M., João E., Albrecht E. (Eds), 2005: Implementing SEA in the EU.Environmental Protection in the European Union 2. Springer Verlag, Heidelberg
  • The Georgetown International Environmental Law Review 16 (2004); Albrecht/Hoffmann/Knopp, Selected Conventions and Treaties on International Environmental Law, 3rd ed., 2007
Lecture/seminar:
  • Knopp, International and European Environmental Law with Reference to German Environmental Law, 2008
  • Albrecht/Egute/Forbid, (eds.) Risk Assessment and Management for Environmental Protection in Sub-Saharan Africa. 2011
Seminar:
  • James Gustave Speth and Peter M. Haas, Global Environmental Governance. 2006
  • Razzaque Jona, Environmental Governance in Europe and Asia. 2011
  • Godwell Nhamo and Ekpe Inyang. Framework and Tools for Environmental Management in Africa. 2011.
  • Bruch. African Environmental Governance: Opportunities at the Regional, Subregional and National Levels. In: Chaytor and Gray (eds.) International Environmental Law and Policy in Afrika. 2003.
  • Mulloy/Albrecht/Häntsch, German Environmental Law, Erich-Schmidt, 2001
  • Knopp, International and European Environmental Law with Reference to German Environmental Law, 2008
  • Actual Collection (or copy) of European Treaties (attention: actual edition is required because of enforcement of the Treaty of Lisbon Dec. 2009)
  • Knopp/Albrecht, Transposition of the SEA Directive into National Law – Challenges and Possibilities, in: Schmidt/João/Albrecht (Hrsg.), Implementing Strategic Environmental Assessment, Springer-Verlag Heidelberg, 200
  • Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit. (2009). Die  Begründung zum EEG 2009. Berlin: Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit.
  • IPCC. (2001a). IPCC Third Assessment Report: Climate Change; The Scientific Basis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Runci, P. (2005). Renewable Energy Police in Germany: An Overview and Assessment.
  • Salje, P. (2008). EEG 2008: Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz 2. Auflage. Köln: Carl Heymanns Verlag.5
Assessment Mode: The performance of students will be determined on the basis of a written examination as explained below.

This module consists of the lecture “Advanced Studies in International Environmental Law” which is mandatory and one out of two seminars. These seminars are: “Environmental Governance in Developing Countries” and “German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and Climate Change”. In order to earn credits for the module, students are required to attend the lecture and one out of the two seminars and pass the examination in both parts. 20 out of 60 points (30 points = Grade 4, 0) can be obtained after answering questions on one of the seminars (integrated examination).
Withdrawal from Examination: Until the end of the seventh week of the lecture period
Part of the Study Programme:
  • Master / Environmental and Resource Management / Prüfungsordnung 2011
  • Master / Umweltingenieurwesen / Prüfungsordnung 2012
Remarks: Participation is required. An annual excursion pertaining to the module may be organised.
Module Components:
  • Lecture: Advanced Studies in International Environmental Law and
  • Seminar: Environmental Governance in Developing Countries or
  • Seminar: German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and Climate Change
Components to be offered in the Current Semester:
  • no assignment