International law has become a crucial battleground in the struggle to address climate change. In this course, we explore the rapidly evolving landscape of the lawfulness of climate harms, both historic and ongoing. We engage with how international law organises and responds to measures proposed as a means of addressing those harms, amid deep contestation over the legality and justice of many such measures. In doing so, we will pay particular attention to how international law forms part of broader strategies, coalitions and movements for climate action, as well as the role of corporate and civil society actors, smaller and larger states, and First Nations peoples in these movements.
We begin by exploring the legality of, and international responsibility and reparations for, greenhouse gas emissions. Students will become familiar with the jurisprudence on state responsibility and remedies, as well as multilateral mechanisms for emissions reduction and for fossil fuel abolition. We then turn to a range of contemporary struggles over the legality of and lawmaking for mechanisms for addressing climate change. These topics will change year-on-year to reflect contemporary issues, but an indicative list includes: intellectual property and ‘green’ technologies, direct action, geoengineering, climate markets, and climate science.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Interpret the significance of international law in relation to climate change at local and international levels.
- Communicate the significance of developments in treaty, custom and jurisprudence relating to international law and climate change for a generalist legal audience.
- Develop insight into the roles of different actors, states and peoples, including First Nations peoples, in debates over climate change and international law.
- Research and develop creative arguments in relation to international legal doctrine and treaty negotiation in relation to climate change.
- Evaluate and reflect on the role of international lawyers in contemporary debates about climate change and justice.
Indicative Assessment
- The proposed means of assessment for this course will provide students with at least two pieces of assessment, including one piece during the teaching period. More information about the means of assessment, including the relationship between the assessment and the learning outcomes of the course, will be available in the class summary and on the course Canvas page. (100) [LO ]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
- Classes offered in non-standard sessions will be taught semi-intensively with compulsory contact hours of approximately 36 hours of face to face teaching. The course will also require advanced preparation through assigned readings. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
- Classes offered during semester periods are expected to have three contact hours per week. Students are generally expected to devote at least 10 hours overall per week to this course. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
Inherent Requirements
NA
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Alternatively, this information will be published in the Program course list when finalised.
Preliminary Reading
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Alternatively, this information will be published in the Program course list when finalised.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.