ENVP40180 European Environmental Policy

Academic Year 2023/2024

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.

iI) 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. and their development and evolution in the treaties. The legal framework for achieving the objectives outlined in the treaties will also be examined, as will the dynamics of power between the main institutional decision makers at EU level. The role of the European Court of Justice will be analyzed.

iiI) 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.

iv) Implementation Case Studies
The module will then focus on the implementation of EU Environmental Policy and explain why there is a ‘gap’ between the stated ambition of EP policy and the practical outcomes on the ground.

v) 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 (e.g. EU Emissions Trading Scheme) and informational instruments.

A voluntary fieldtrip to Brussels, the seat of the main EU institutions, will take place during the March fieldwork period from 15 - 17th March 2023.

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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 and the legislative frameworks required to achieve objectives
• Critically analyse policy instruments that can be employed to achieve environmental objectives
• Identify progressive areas of EU policy, such as climate change policy
• Evaluate the implementation of EU Environmental Policy, identifying any obstacles to effectiveness
• Develop self-directed learning skills.

Indicative Module Content:

1. Course introduction and outline
2. Actors and Institutions
3. Legal basis of the environment in the treaties
4. Legal framework to achieve environmental objectives
5. The origins and vehicle of EU Environmental Policy
6. The European Court of Justice
7. EU Environmental Policy in a Global Context
8. Environmental Policy Instruments
9. Implementation of EU Environmental Policy
10. Class presentations
11. Stakeholders in EU Environmental Policy
12. The Future of Europe

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.

Jordan, A., Gravey, V. and Adelle, C., 2021. EU environmental policy: contexts, actors and policy dynamics. In Environmental Policy in the EU (pp. 1-10). Routledge.

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.
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 11:00 - 12:50