OVERVIEW

The course provides a critical analysis of principles, rules and current trends and concerns of European Union and international environmental law. It aims at providing participating students with highly specialized knowledge in the field of EU and transnational environmental law, and with the necessary skills to develop a critical awareness of the selected topics.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course will focus on international and European environmental law and its impact on the domestic legal systems. In particular, the following will be analyzed in detail: the evolution of transnational environmental law; the sources of international and European environmental law, including basic principles relating thereto; transnational environmental law in the human rights perspective; international trade and environmental preservation; results and challenges in the protection of the marine environment; atmospheric pollution and climate change; biodiversity preservation and endangered species.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course consists of three main parts and aims at providing students with knowledge on the following topics(i) an introductive part focusing on the general principles of international environmental law and EU environmental law; (ii) an advanced part providing a detailed analysis of the existing or proposed instruments for the implementation of EU environmental policies in specific relevant policy areas (waste; marine environment; environment and human rights; environment and international trade; environmental responsibility; (iii) a specific part dedicated to climate change, with particular focus on the Paris Agreement, EU climate policy, and selected cross-sectorial climate-related issues that have a significant impact on European and national legal systems (i.e. climate-induced migration, climate-friendly dietary habits, etc.).

At the end of the course, students are therefore expected to:

(i) develop an in-depth knowledge of the matters involved in environmental protection and of the existing and proposed instruments to pursue the goal at stake;

(ii) develop the necessary skills for the study and critical analysis of  environmental issues, and of the legal tools available at EU and international level to address them.

(iii) increase the awareness that environmental protection is closely connected with all other human activities and with most State and EU policies. 

PREREQUISITES

None

TEACHING METHODS

Each lecture comprises (i) the Professor’s presentation to the student audience of the selected topic; (ii) students’ oral presentations of the relevant case-law; (iii) reflection activities and open discussions on explored issues under the guidance of the Professor. In order to facilitate comprehension of the course topics, power point presentations for each lesson shall be uploaded on Aulaweb for their downloading. Prior to each lesson students shall find on Aulaweb the pages of the textbook or of the other teaching materials covered by the lecture, for their pre-reading. Teaching will be based on the study of relevant case-law and documents, and implies an informed participation by the students. All these materials shall be uploaded on Aulaweb ahead of their presentation during the lessons. In order to ensure the optimal use of this resource, students are invited to register on Aulaweb as soon as possible.In order to facilitate comprehension of the course topics, power point presentations for each lesson shall be uploaded on Aulaweb for their downloading. Prior to each lesson students shall find on Aulaweb the pages of the textbook or of the other teaching materials covered by the lesson, for their pre-reading. Teaching will be based on the study of relevant case-law and documents, and implies an informed participation by the students. All these materials shall be uploaded on Aulaweb ahead of their presentation during the lessons. In order to ensure the optimal use of this resource, students are invited to register on Aulaweb as soon as possible. In case of distance learning, classes will be held through the “Microsoft Teams” platform, in accordance with the instructions provided by the professor.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The following topics will be addressed in detail: (a) introduction to international environmental law (sources, subjects, substantive norms, enforcement); (b) introduction to EU environmental law (competence, sources, substantive norms, impact on domestic legal systems); (c) human rights protection and the environment (environmental rights and duties in perspective); (d) environmental protection and international trade; (e) international and EU marine environmental law; (f) international and EU governance of atmospheric environment and climate change; (g) waste management and disposal in EU and international environmental law. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

MUNARI – SCHIANO DI PEPE, Tutela transnazionale dell’ambiente, Bologna, 2012.

Equivalent reading materials in English will be suggested to interested students who are not familiar with the Italian language or who prefer to study on English texts.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FRANCESCO MUNARI (President)

CHIARA ENRICA TUO

CHIARA CELLERINO (President Substitute)

MARIO BARBANO (Substitute)

ANDREA BERGAMINO (Substitute)

LUCA CALZOLARI (Substitute)

LAURA CARPANETO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

I semester from September 18th 2023
II semester from February 12th 2024

Class schedule

EUROPEAN UNION AND TRANSNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

As a rule, the exam is oral. Attending students may be given the opportunity to pass the exam in writing on the subjects that have been discussed in class during the course. The exam shall take place in presence or in distance mode, depending on the evolution of the sanitary situation and in accordance with University instructions.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam consists of at least two questions on the topics covered during the course.

The written exam consists of open questions and / or multiple choice questions on the topics discussed during the lesson, and for this reason it is particularly suitable for attending students. More information on the written test will be provided in class towards the end of the course.

Exam schedule