Climate Change Law (LAWS70293)

Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
May
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Climate change is a pressing environmental, economic and social problem. Global warming is predicted to have wide-ranging impacts, and it presents enormous challenges for conventional models of law and socio-economic governance due to its pervasive character, long-term effects and the need for dynamic change in many of the fundamental areas of life. This subject examines the challenges for law in driving that change, from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its associated Paris Agreement, to international trade, climate finance and litigation, to federal and state legislative responses, through to local effects including relating to Indigenous peoples. The lecturer is active in research and advice in climate change law and governance in the international and domestic law spheres.

Indicative list of principal topics:

  • The scientific basis for global warming and physical impacts of climate change
  • The international legal framework, including the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement and associated international instruments
  • Social and cultural impacts and legal responses, such as human rights protection
  • Climate finance and schemes for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD).
  • The role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in climate change governance, particularly with respect to renewable energy technologies and the disciplining of fossil fuel subsidies
  • The interaction of climate change regimes with other international law frameworks; eg World Heritage, refugee law, human rights and security
  • The federal legislative framework for climate change mitigation and adaptation, including direct action plans, market mechanisms and carbon trading
  • State-based legislative and regulatory responses to climate change
  • Bio-sequestration and carbon capture and storage
  • The nature of climate change litigation

Intended learning outcomes

A student who has successfully completed this subject will:



  • Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the scientific basis of global warming and its impacts in an ecological, social and economic context.
  • Be able to critically examine, analyse, interpret and assess the international legal framework governing climate change issues and likely future trends, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement and associated international instruments.
  • Be an engaged participant in debate regarding federal and state legislative responses to climate change mitigation and adaptation, including an emissions trading scheme, associated market measures, direct action and energy-related measures such as mandatory renewable energy targets.
  • Have a sophisticated appreciation of the trade law implications of climate change governance.
  • Have the cognitive and technical skills to independently examine, research and analyse the various legislative and regulatory mitigation measures at federal and state level.
  • Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information regarding domestic and international regimes focussing on or relating to climate change.
  • Be able to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of climate change law.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are taught at an advanced graduate level and requires a thorough background in common law. While efforts are made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, teaching and assessment activities are designed to give an advanced and integrated understanding of the discipline of law for legal practitioners, learners and researchers.

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: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Class participation

Throughout the teaching period10%

In-class presentation (maximum 8 mins)

  • 8 minutes
During the teaching period10%

Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator

  • 4000 words
9 July 202580%

Attendance

Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required.		Throughout the teaching period0%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • May
    Principal coordinatorJacqueline Peel
    CoordinatorsRebekkah Markey-Towler, Janine Felson, Lily O'Neill, and Arjuna Dibley
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours34
    Total time commitment150 hours
    Pre teaching start date16 April 2025
    Pre teaching requirementsPlease refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences.
    Teaching period14 May 2025 to 20 May 2025
    Last self-enrol date21 April 2025
    Census date16 May 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail27 June 2025
    Assessment period ends 1 August 2025

    May contact information

    Teaching staff:  

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details

Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment, subject quotas and waitlists. 
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options. 

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 March 2025