ENVP40180 European Environmental Policy

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module will comprehensively address European Union Environmental Policy under the following headings:

i) The need for EU environmental Policy
It will examine the background and context to EU Environmental Policy, determine when the environment became an EU concern and examine the influence of different trans-boundary environmental issues (e.g. acid rain, CFCs in Ozone layer depletion) as a precursor to Environmental Policy.

i) Environmental Legislation
The module will then focus on the specific articles in the treaties that cover the environmental area, e.g. Single European Act, Lisbon Treaty etc.

ii) EU Environmental Policy in a global context
It will examine EU Environmental Policy in a global context and outline where the EU is leading the way in global terms in relation to Green Policy initiatives, particularly climate change. This includes commitments under treaties such as the Kyoto protocol and Paris agreement.

iii) Implementation Case Studies
The module will then focus on the implementation of EU Environmental Policy and outline some specific case studies that cover one or more of the following areas: Air Quality; Noise; Land use; Nature and biodiversity; energy; waste; water and how these policies fit with national policies.

iv) Policy Instruments
Finally, there will be a review of the types of policy instruments that are employed in relation to EU Environmental Policy such as regulation, market based instruments (e.g. EU Emissions Trading Scheme) and information.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the origins of EU Environmental Policy
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the status of the environment in the treaties
• Demonstrate knowledge of policy instruments that can be employed in relation to Environmental Policy in the EU
• Demonstrate where the EU is leading the way in global terms in relation to Green Policy initiatives, such as climate change.
• Discuss the implementation of EU Environmental Policy
• Develop self-directed learning skills.

Indicative Module Content:

1. Course introduction and outline
2. The need for EU Environmental Policy
3. Environmental Policy Instruments
4. Sustainable development: a critical review
5. Vehicle for EU Environmental Policy and Actors and Institutions
6. Legal basis and Framework
7. Environmental Policy Case Studies
8. Environmental Policy Case Studies
9. Implementation of EU Environmental Policy
10. Class presentations
11. Voluntary Agreements
12. EU Environmental Policy in a Global Context

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

16
Autonomous Student Learning

160
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The key teaching and learning approaches used in this module include group work; traditional lectures; critical writing and student presentations. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Individual tasks Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Group Project: Group project and presentation Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

30
Assignment: Individual Assignment Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be delivered on the individual component assignments. In-class feedback will be provided on the group project prior to submission and will entail peer review.

Key texts
Bailey, Ian. 2003. New Environmental Policy Instruments in the European Union, Ashgate, England.

Barnes, Pamela and Barnes, Ian. 1999. Environmental Policy in the European Union, Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, UK.

Bretherton, Charlotte and Vogler, John. 2006. The European Union as a Global Actor, Routledge, USA.

Heinelt, Hubert et al. 2001. European Union Environmental Policy and New Forms of Governance, Ashgate, England.

Hoerber, Thomas. 2013. The origins of energy and environmental policy in Europe: the beginnings of a European environmental conscience. Routledge, London.

Hussen, Ahmed. 2004. Principles of Environmental Economics, Routledge.

Jordan, Andrew (eds). 2002. Environmental Policy in the European Union, Earth Scan, London.

Jordan, Andrew and Lenschow, Andrea (eds). 2008. Innovation in Environmental Policy, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham.

Jordan, Andrew and Adelle, Camilla. 2013. Environmental policy in the EU: actors, institutions and processes. Routledge, London.

Knill, C., Liefferink, D. (2007) Environmental politics in the European Union: policy-making, implementation and patterns of multi-level governance, Manchester University Press.

Zito, A (2000) Creating environmental policy in the European Union, Macmillan.