International Environmental Law - I 16
Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) are the predominant legal method for addressing transboundary environmental problems. Adopted by States, MEAs are standard-settings instruments for effective global environmental protection. However, nowadays some States, particularly least developed and developing countries, face the challenge of implementing over 300 MEAs due to limited technical, financial and human resources. For the adequate implementation of and compliance with MEAs at a national level, there is a need to raise awareness on International Environmental Law (IEL) and develop specific capacities for its implementation at the national level.
The course provides the basics of IEL by identifying its sources and fundamental principles, the law-making process, its main actors, as well as the implementation and compliance procedures needed to understand and apply MEAs.
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Define the role and importance of international law for the protection of the environment;
- Distinguish between the different sources of IEL and identify the main actors involved in its development;
- Describe the historical evolution of IEL and identify its key standard-setting instruments;
- Identify the mechanisms and procedures established to ensure compliance with IEL obligations;
- Analyze the fundamental principles and emerging concepts of IEL and apply them to real situations.
The course is divided into three modules with a total of five interactive lessons. Module 1 presents an overview of IEL, followed by its historical evolution. In Module 2 participants will learn about the fundamental principles of IEL, as well as about the concepts framing it. Module 3 covers the processes and procedures in the making and application of IEL. Each module comprises lessons, tasks, activities, discussion forums and assessments. The course comprises about 25 learning hours, spread over 3 weeks. Participants should expect a flexible workload of about 8-10 hours/week. The course is mostly organized around asynchronous activities, giving participants flexibility to complete learning activities, tasks, and assessments and participate in the discussions.
The course is composed of lessons, which help participants to acquire the required knowledge necessary for the tasks, discussion forums, and quizzes. Practical examples and case study analysis allow for the direct application of the knowledge acquired. At the end of the course, participants are required to submit a final report tackling relevant elements of a case study based on the knowledge gained. Apart from the core content, a number of additional resources are available for participants to further deepen their knowledge. Throughout the course, participants will actively interact with their peers and the facilitator. The course facilitator will guide discussions on selected topics, which will stir knowledge and experience sharing among participants.
This course is designed for government officials from ministries of the environment, agriculture, forests, water, tourism, foreign affairs and other related areas. It also targets international civil servants, NGO representatives, judges, prosecutors and lawyers working in the fields of environmental law/management, international relations/politics and sustainable development. Additionally, academics, private sector professionals and graduates/researchers interested in specializing in IEL may also benefit from the course.
Click here to download the course brochure.
Certificates: Participants who successfully complete all the course activities and assessments will receive a Certificate of Completion issued by UNITAR.
Technical Requirements: The course is delivered through UNITAR’s Virtual Learning Environment and participants will require a reliable internet connection throughout its duration. See full list of requirements.
* Please note that the course schedule could be changed if a minimum of enrolled participants is not achieved prior to the start of the course.