Available in 2024
Course code

LAWS6038

Units

10 units

Level

6000 level

Course handbook

Description

This course will provide students with advanced and specialized knowledge of the evolution and architecture of the international climate regime, including the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, the 2009 Copenhagen Accord and the 2015 Paris Agreement. Students will gain specialised insights into the challenges and opportunites for climate litigation in the post-Paris Agreement era. This course will critically assess environmental economics theory and its application to climate change policy  A special focus will be put on the use of market-based policy instruments such as environmental taxes and emissions trading. Based on a law and economics approach, students will examine and evaluate differing approaches to domestic implementations of international climate policy obligations through case studies on carbon pricing in Australia, the EU, North America and Japan. Students will also be exposed to a range of controversial debates, reflecting the highly politicised nature of international and domestic climate change law, and learn about the political barriers to sustainable climate policy.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Online

  • Trimester 3 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Effectively communicate the legal principles, rules and institutions of the international climate change regime.

2. Critically interpret the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

3. Evaluate market-based climate policy instruments

4. Identify and report on the political barriers to sustainable carbon markets.

5. Work individually and as an integral part of a `virtual' team.


Content

The topics in this course include:

1. Introduction to Climate Change Science.

2. Evolution and architecture of the International Climate Change Regime.

3. The Paris Agreement.

4.  Climate Change Litigation.

5.  How Markets Work and Fail: The Theory of Externalities.

6.  How Prices can Save the Environment: The Standard-Price-Approach.

7.  How to Design Sustainable Carbon Markets.

8.  Why Politics Resist Markets: The Political Economy of Carbon Markets.

9.  Case Study: Market-based Climate Policy in Australia.

10. Case Study: Market-based Climate Policy in the EU.

11. Case Study: Market-based Climate Policy in North America.

12. Case Study: Market-based Climate Policy in Japan.


Assumed knowledge

Nil


Assessment items

Written Assignment: Carbon Strategy Brief

Written Assignment: Policy Brief


Contact hours

Trimester 3 - 2024 - Online

Self-Directed Learning-1
  • Online 36 hour(s) per term

Course outline