Course Description
This intensive course explores the legal frameworks governing sustainability at both European and international levels, examining how law shapes and responds to environmental, social, and economic challenges. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of key legal instruments, principles, and case law that form the backbone of sustainability governance.
The course covers a wide array of topics. It starts by considering how sustainability is generally considered in EU and International law, such as through the Sustainable Development Goals. The course then reviews major components of European and International Sustainability Law, from Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) to competition law.
Throughout the course, students will engage with contemporary legal developments, landmark cases, and policy debates. By examining sustainability through multiple legal lenses, students will develop a nuanced understanding of how law can address complex sustainability challenges.
This course equips students with essential knowledge for careers in environmental law, corporate sustainability, public policy, and international organizations working at the intersection of law and sustainable development.
Course Objectives
Objectives of the course:
The general objective of this course is to familiarise students with how sustainability principles are integrated into and shape both international and European legal frameworks, with particular emphasis on economic policies, market-based-mechanisms and other regulatory mechanisms.
Achievement levels:
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:
Knowledge and comprehension: Students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles in European and international legal frameworks, including key instruments, regulatory mechanisms, and market-based approaches across various legal domains.
Application:
Students should be able to apply relevant legal concepts and frameworks to sustainability challenges, demonstrating their ability to connect theoretical frameworks to practical implementation of sustainability law in economic, environmental, and social contexts.
Analysis: Students should be able to critically evaluate the effectiveness of existing legal approaches to sustainability, identify gaps in regulatory frameworks, and analyse tensions between different legal instruments addressing sustainability objectives.
Presentation:
Students should be able to articulate on complex legal concepts clearly in written form, present well-structured arguments supported by appropriate sources, and demonstrate academic rigor in their research paper on a sustainability law topic.
Programme Final Qualifications:
The following learning outcomes apply with regard to the course:
P.F.Q. = 1,3,4,5,6 & 8
Mode of Instruction
The course employs a dynamic teaching approach featuring subject matter experts who bring specialized knowledge to each topic. Students are expected to actively engage with lecturers and materials through critical discussion, creating an interactive learning environment that combines theoretical foundations with practical insights.
Assessment Method(s)
Assessment for this course will be based entirely on a final research paper (100% of the course grade).
For the final assessment, students will write a research paper (max. 4000 words) that applies course concepts to a topic related to sustainability in European or international legal frameworks. A list of suggested topics will be circulated, providing examples of appropriate scope and focus. Students may select from this list or propose an alternative topic of their choice. Those wishing to pursue a topic not on the suggested list must discuss their proposal with the instructor to ensure it aligns with course objectives and provides sufficient opportunity to demonstrate understanding of course content. This approach allows for guided flexibility, enabling students to explore their interests while ensuring the assignment meets academic requirements.
If a student achieves a non-passing grade for the paper, the paper must in any case be revised.
Reading List
- Nota bene: Lecture-specific readings will be provided through Brightspace prior to the start of the course. Additionally, all required materials will be clearly outlined in the course syllabus, which will also be made available through Brightspace.
**Disclaimer: **
Currently these pages are being updated to reflect the courses for 2025 - 2026. Until these pages are fixed as per 1 September 2025 no rights can be claimed from the information which is currently contained within. Should there be any future extenuating circumstances which may impinge our teaching and assessment, these could necessitate modification of the course descriptions after 1 September. This will only happen in the event of strict necessity and the interests of the students will be taken into account. Should there be a need for any change during the course, this will be informed to all students on a timely basis. Modifications after 1 September 2025 may only be done with the approval and consent of the Faculty Board and Programme Director.