LL4A6      Half Unit
Climate Change and International Law

This information is for the 2020/21 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Stephen Humphreys NAB 6.15

Availability

This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time), MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation, MSc in Human Rights and University of Pennsylvania Law School LLM Visiting Students. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course is capped at 30 students. Students must apply through Graduate Course Choice on LSEforYou.

Course content

This course covers international law in relation to climate change with a view to assessing how the harms and burdens associated with climate change are governed and allocated in different legal regimes. The course adopts the stance that the political and ethical questions raised by climate change cannot be addressed by reference to climate change law or international environmental law alone. Climate change gives rise to a series of profound problems touching upon a range of bodies of law (trade, human rights, migration, state responsibility) in a complex political and ethical environment. In approaching climate change as a concrete concern relevant to these various bodies of law and practice, the course will address the normative bases for choosing between actions designed to prevent and/or manage climate change and its consequences, given developmental imperatives and the concerns raised by the 'fragmented' nature of international law. Projected seminars include: climate change science, politics and ethics; the theory of international law; international environmental law; trade law; human rights law; migration law. The course includes two case studies, from among the following: climate technology transfer; carbon markets; food security.

Teaching

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 20 hours in Lent Term. Students will usually have two additional hours in the Summer Term. This year teaching will be delivered through recorded online lectures and a mix of both in-person and online classes to accommodate students who are unable to physically be on campus. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Lent Term.

Formative coursework

One 1,800 word essay to be submitted by the end of week 6.

Indicative reading

IPCC, Fifth Assessment Report, Cambridge UP (2013-14); IPCC, Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5C; Rosemary Rayfuse and Shirley Scott (eds), International Law in the Era of Climate Change, Edward Elgar (2011); Stephen Gardiner, Simon Caney, Dale Jamieson and Henry Shue (eds), Climate Ethics: Essential Readings, Oxford UP (2010); Stephen Humphreys (ed.), Climate Change and Human Rights, Cambridge UP (2010); Larry Lohmann, Carbon Trading, Dag Hammerskjöld Foundation (2006); Margaret Young (ed.), Regime Interaction in International Law: Facing Fragmentation, Cambridge UP (2012).

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the summer exam period.

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Law

Total students 2019/20: 29

Average class size 2019/20: 29

Controlled access 2019/20: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Leadership
  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills