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Green Technology Law and Policy (LAWS90010)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2021
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
Overview
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This subject will evaluate a range of policies and green technologies that have been adopted as part of the emerging global effort to mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases associated with climate change. It will examine the legal, economic, and policy dimensions of efforts to promote the development and diffusion of green technologies, emphasising the role of market-based mechanisms and patent rights. The subject will focus on policy developments in the United States, Europe, and Australia, and will assess the merits of different policy instruments (eg, patents, renewable-energy portfolio standards, tax breaks, direct subsidies, prizes) as means of overcoming the barriers to development and deployment of green technologies. A series of technology-specific case studies will be discussed, with technologies including renewable sources of electricity, biofuels used in transportation, green building, and carbon capture and sequestration. The subject will utilise in-class exercises, including green technology pitches, a simulated trading regime and structured policy debates. Students should note that traditional regulation of fossil fuels and economic regulation in the electricity sector will not be covered.
Principal topics include:
- Green technology - barriers and opportunities
- Economics of positive and negative externalities
- Traditional environmental regulation and innovation
- Pitfalls and promise of policy portfolios built around pollution trading regimes
- Renewable energy policies
- Policy myths and realities of grey technologies.
Intended learning outcomes
This subject will give students specialised analytical and technical skills in the areas of energy, environmental, and intellectual property law. Students will learn to analyse subjects in these areas critically, as well as to reflect on and synthesise complex legal and technical information, problems, concepts, and theories. Skills developed will include researching and applying relevant theories and information, interpreting laws and policies, and presentation skills relevant to working in a variety of legal and policy settings. The subject is designed to enable students to apply the knowledge and skills they gain independently and to enhance their professional judgment and adaptability.
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Gain an advanced and integrated understanding of the economic principles of innovation policy and environmental externalities
- Develop a sophisticated knowledge of the policy instruments used in Australia and abroad to promote the development and deployment of new technologies (eg, intellectual property rights, tax incentives, subsidies), including recent developments in laws and policies
- Have an advanced understanding of specific clean technology laws and policies being implemented at the local, state, national, and international levels
- Be able to critically examine, analyse, interpret and assess the effectiveness of these legal and policy regimes
- Be an engaged participant in debate regarding emerging and contemporary issues in the field, such as the relative effectiveness, practical viability, economic implications, and barriers to implementing policies to promote clean technologies
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to independently examine, research and analyse existing and emerging legal issues relating to policies designed to promote clean technologies;
- Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information regarding policies relevant to promoting clean technologies
- Be able demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the fields of environmental law, innovation policy, and intellectual property law.
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students must meet one of the following prerequisite options:
Option 1
Admission into a relevant Melbourne Law Masters program
Option 2
Admission into the MC-JURISD Juris Doctor
AND
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50027 | Dispute Resolution | Not available in 2021 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50024 | Principles of Public Law | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50026 | Obligations | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50028 | Constitutional Law | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50029 | Contracts | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50025 | Torts | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50036 | Remedies |
November (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| LAWS50034 | Criminal Law and Procedure | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50035 | Corporations Law | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50032 | Administrative Law | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50030 | Property | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50033 | Equity and Trusts | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
It would be helpful if students have a basic understanding of regulatory policy and economics.
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Assessment 1: In-class presentation and written presentation
| 25% | |
Assessment 2, Option 1: Take-home examination
| 75% | |
Assessment 2, Option 2: Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
| 75% | |
| Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Students must choose assessment from the options listed above. If an option contains parts, all parts must be completed if that option is chosen.
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2021
Time commitment details
136-150 hours The pre-teaching period commences four weeks before the subject commencement date. From this time, students are expected to access and review the Reading Guide that will be available from the LMS subject page and the subject materials provided by the subject coordinator, which will be available from Melbourne Law School. Refer to the Reading Guide for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences.
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students. Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist printed materials will be made available free of charge from the Melbourne Law School prior to the pre-teaching period.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
law.unimelb.edu.au
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-admissions@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 12 November 2022