LAW41090 Climate Change Law and Policy

Academic Year 2021/2022

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. This module critically examines the regulatory responses to climate change across the globe: internationally, at EU level, and nationally. Both mitigation and adaptation responses will be dealt with, as well as examples of climate litigation to date across the globe.

As regulatory responses can only be understood and evaluated if the complexity of the problem itself is understood, the module will be interdisciplinary in nature, including seminars on (for example) the science of climate change, climate change activism and communication, and justice-based approaches to climate change. The module draws on a range of in-house and guest speakers,. The module typically attracts students from a broad range of disciplines.

The aim is to achieve a rich and evidence-based understanding of the regulatory challenges entailed by this vital issue.

This module is an option for those registered for the UCD M.Sc. in Sustainable Development in partnership with UN SDSN.

All students registered for this module have full access to all of the digital resources on the SDG Academy. and access to the UN SDSN Network. Part of the module will draw on the SDG Academy digital resources.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module, you should:
1. Have a good understanding of the key regulatory responses to climate change globally, within Europe and nationally;
2. Have a good understanding of how the regulatory challenges in the case of climate change may be different to the challenges faced in other areas;
3. Be able critically to discuss approaches to climate change from different disciplinary perspectives;
4. Have gained skills and experience in developing and presenting an argument in front of others.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to climate change science; introduction to the international climate regime; climate communication; EU climate law I, II and III; climate litigation; Irish climate law; climate justice

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24

Autonomous Student Learning

275

Total

299

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures/seminars; group discussions; critical writing; 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
Attendance: Completion of the assigned course from the SDG Academy's digital resources Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

15

Essay: End of trimester essay - 3000 words maximum Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

55

Presentation: In-class presentation Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

30


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

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group feedback in class regarding presentations and assignment. Group feedback on essays after the end of the trimester.

Name Role
Dr Andrew Jackson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Suzanne Kingston Lecturer / Co-Lecturer