This course introduces students to international environmental law and considers how international law may be used to facilitate environmental protection. The first part of the course (Michaelmas Term) commences with an overview of the international legal system in the context of environmental protection. It then discusses the history, development, sources and principles of international environmental law and reviews the role of the UN and other international organisations in the context of environmental protection. Next, it reviews key issues (atmospheric protection, climate change, transboundary water, biodiversity and international forest law) to analyse the creation, implementation and effectiveness of international environmental law.

The second part of the course (Lent term) analyses particularly complex international environmental issues. Using case studies which may include hazardous waste, nuclear energy and biotechnology, it explores damage, liability and dispute settlement in an international environmental context, discusses the role of international litigation, and analyses the relationship between environmental protection and international trade law.

1. History and Development of International Environmental Law (IEL)
2. Sources and Principles of IEL
3. Atmospheric Protection
4. Climate Change
5. Transboundary Water
6. Biodiversity Agreements I
7. Biodiversity Agreements II
8. International Forest Law
9. Environment and Trade I
10. Environment and Trade II
11. International Environmental Litigation I
12. International Environmental Litigation II
13. Hazardous Waste
14. Nuclear Energy
15. Biotechnology
16. Emerging Trends in IEL