• The aim of the project is to develop, test and adapt new curricula in the field of Climate Change (CC) Law. Specifically, the integration of an multidisciplinary educational programme on Global CC Policy and Law, offered at a level of Postgraduate diploma (PGDIp) or alternatively as LL.M depending on each Partner HEI final decision, will aim to address the need of a new generation of post-graduates in a LLM that will acquire a high-level expertise on environmental policies and CC law.

    Therefore, the project will improve the level of competences and skills in the HEIs by developing a new and innovative ICT-based education program and by applying best practices and pedogeological methodologies among academics and learners.  The new postgraduate courses will first of all support the modernization, accessibility and internationalization of higher education in Malaysia, India and Vietnam.

    In a nutshell, the specific objectives of the project include:

    • To develop, test and adapt new curricula in the field of Climate Change (CC) Law
    • To support the modernization, accessibility and internationalization of higher education and to address the challenges facing the higher education systems in Malaysia, India and Vietnam
    • To improve the level of competencies and skills in the HEIs by developing a new and innovative ICT-based education program and by applying best practices pedagogical methodologies among academics and learners
    • To contribute to strengthened cooperation between EU and the Partner Countries
    • To promote people-people contacts, intercultural awareness and understanding
    • To open Climate Change Law Centers (PC HEIs)

Available courses

Workshop Materials

This module explores the scientific basis of the global challenge that is climate change, and how we might begin to mitigate it, and its effects, on the Earth. Fundamental principles of climate and Earth science are introduced, including the Earth’s energy budget, the greenhouse effect and the global carbon cycle. Building on these principles, the evidence of a changing climate is examined, ranging from increases in air-temperature and sea level rise, to more frequent climate extremes and hazardous weather phenomena. With this knowledge, students will begin to assess the prospects of effective solutions to mitigate the effects in future.

1.1 Climate Change Policy

1.      Study the challenges of moving to a low-carbon economy and adapting to climate change, and how they influence global and regional development. This course addresses the urgent societal challenge of climate change, with a broad, international, problem-focused perspective that will suit students from a wide range of backgrounds.
The main aim of the course is to provide this wide-ranging introduction in a self-contained, but in-depth form, alongside the important practical skills necessary to understand and discuss climate policy, governance and ethics and lay the groundwork for greater engagement in the future – either through academic study, in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors.
Modules that form part of this programme tackle issues such as international politics and globalization, sustainability and development, crisis governance, and ethics and global climate change. Students will graduate prepared to become agents of change who can embed sustainable, critically-informed practices into their careers. Their training will enable public and private sector organizations to survive and thrive because they have a command of science, politics and policy.

1.2 Climate Change Governance

The goal of climate change governance processes is achieving consensus-based decisions among the different actors concerning which course of action to take. This consensus is typically translated into policy. Climate change governance processes take place at all governance scales, from international to national to local.   A climate change process is a deliberative process whereby different actors from government to business, from local communities to environmental non-governmental organizations, gather in order to make decisions about managing an environmental resource and/or deal with a specific climate change issue that affects them all, and which none of them can address on their own. This module provides students with the analytical means to identify climate change governance processes, diagnose their failures and successes, and provide actionable recommendations concerning how to overcome the failures and leverage the successes across different contexts and different governance scales i.e., national and global.

1.3 Climate Change Ethics

In this course we will investigate the ethical and philosophical challenges connected to climate change.
Such issues include: What ethical challenges does climate change raise? What would constitute a just allocation of the burdens of climate change? What can economic analysis tell us (and not tell us) about climate change? In what ways does uncertainty challenge our ability to understand what we should do about climate change? Why might geoengineering be ethically problematic? What are we individually required to do about climate change?

2.1 International Environmental and Climate Change Law

Introduction

The necessity of a deeper development of International Environmental Law has grown in the last two decades. Despite all this legal corpus is characterized by a soft nature derived from the reluctance of the States when assuming commitment in this area. The international regulation of climate change is no exception to this characteristic. The main objective of this course is to give students a comprehensive overview of contemporary developments in international law regarding the protection of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources. at the same time, the fight against climate change will be defined based on the study of the most relevant international legal instruments, defining the challenges
associated with them. Throughout the course special attention will be paid to the processes of international legislation, regulation and institutional supervision.

2.2 EU Environmental and Climate Change Law

The EU’s regulatory framework on climate action has developed into a comprehensive and detailed set of  legal instruments and rules. EU climate change law is also one of the most dynamic and fastest growing areas of EU law. The course seeks to provide a comprehensive introduction to climate change law and policy in the EU. The analysis of the institutional framework of environmental policy in the EU will be attempted. Several challenges to the EU the transition to a low-carbon economy while at the same time guaranteeing its energy security will be analysed. Moreover, the course will consider the Renewed EU Sustainable Development Strategy and the economic environmental integration providing students with an understanding of the EU's policy-making role and also between EU actors and the international community.

3. Climate Change and Waste Law

This course is designed to provide an understanding of the legal framework governing climate change and waste management. The course will cover the international, regional, and national legal frameworks governing climate change and waste management. The course will also examine the role of government, businesses, and individuals in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and waste management. It will examine key policy areas and initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and waste generation, including the circular economy, sustainable consumption, and production.

Teacher:  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Duyen Thuy (HLU)

4.1 Climate Change and Human Rights

Climate change directly affects human rights. One of the consequences of climate change is the proliferation of natural disasters such as hurricanes, rising sea levels, floods and droughts, which deprive millions of people of their livelihoods. This reality directly affects the enjoyment of their most basic rights: the rights to food, water and sanitation, decent housing, health, personal security, in short, the right to a dignified life. The goal of this course is to address the need to take into account international human rights obligations by the international community when defining the fight against climate change. The course also highlights how human rights obligations require the international community to take more ambitious action to mitigate emissions, to support adaptation that benefits persons, groups and peoples in vulnerable situations, and to address loss and damage. Throughout the course, the importance of rights-based climate
action will be shown to lead to more consistent, sustainable and effective outcomes.

4.2 Climate Change and Migration

Climate change presents one of the most pressing challenges of our time, not only threatening ecosystems and economies but also displacing millions of people worldwide. This course, "Climate Change and Migration," offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate legal, policy, and human dimensions of climate-induced migration. Designed for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, the course aims to provide a deep understanding of the multifaceted issues surrounding climate change and human mobility.

5.1 Climate Change Dispute Resolution

In an era characterized by increasing environmental consciousness, the multifaceted challenge of climate change emerges not only as a scientific and ecological dilemma but also as a complex socio-political issue. As nations, corporations, and communities grapple with the implications of a warming planet, conflicts and disputes related to climate change have burgeoned, necessitating a structured approach to their resolution. This comprehensive subject explores the intricate field of climate change dispute resolution, focusing on both the nature of disputes arising from climate change and the mechanisms, stakeholders, and ethical and social considerations involved in resolving them. It delves into dispute resolution methods, examines the principles of justice and equity, and discusses remedies and emerging trends in the field. Real-world key cases illustrate the complexities of climate-related conflicts, and students will gain practical skills and competencies essential for practitioners in this crucial arena.

Teacher: Tran Anh Tuan

 

5.2 Climate Change Dispute Litigation

This course explores the rapidly evolving field of climate change litigation, focusing on legal disputes related to environmental impacts, policy enforcement, and corporate responsibility. Students will examine key cases, legal strategies, and emerging trends in climate-related lawsuits across different jurisdictions. The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of how legal systems are being used to address climate change challenges and shape environmental policy.

Teacher: Nguyen Thi Hong Trinh

6. Corporate Governance and Climate Change

The study of corporate governance is about the relationship between firms’ management, board of directors and investors, and how these relationships affect how firms operate and perform. This course explores the intersection of corporate governance and climate change, examining how businesses and organizations can integrate sustainability and environmental responsibility into their governance structures. Students will study the impact of climate change on business operations and strategies, the role of boards and stakeholders, and best practices for sustainable governance.

7. The Science of Climate Change - Mitigation and Adaptation

The aim of the course is to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles underlying climate change, its impacts, and the strategies for addressing it. The course objectives include understanding the dynamics of climate systems and the mechanisms driving climate change. Students will assess the ecological, social, and economic impacts of climate change, exploring both the immediate and long-term consequences. The course will delve into technological innovations and policy frameworks essential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, students will learn to identify and implement effective adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience to climate impacts. This holistic approach prepares students to contribute to sustainable solutions in their professional and academic endeavors.

 

Teacher: Dr. Abhishek Gupta(MU), Dr. Mohamad Farhan (UUM)

8. Climate Change and Energy

This course explores the intricate relationship between global energy and climate change in relation to law and policies. It delves into various energy sources, and their impact on the environment law and policies. The course emphasizes the significance of sustainable energy solutions for mitigating climate change and achieving net-zero emissions by adopting appropriate legal frameworks and policies.

9. Climate Change and Sustainable Development

This module analyses the concept of sustainable development and the frameworks and policies used to monitor and achieve it. This will then be explored in connection with climate change.  Whilst there is a number of references to the concept in legal instruments both at the international and the domestic level, sustainable development remains a challenging concept to define and measure and its practical implementation remains problematic. The module additionally provides knowledge of challenges and opportunities affecting sustainable development at a global, regional and national instruments and reflects on practical initiatives being used to achieve it and the future research agenda on the topic.

10. Economics of Climate Change

The greatest modern challenge of modern society is undoubtedly climate change. It is a global problem requiring international cooperation but also one with very peculiar characteristics. Beyond climate change, global emissions generate immediate local damages of a mostly irreversible nature. One also notes a serious mismatch between costs (of climate change and pollution) and benefits (of mitigation and adaptation) from both a geographic and temporal perspective. The time window awarded to humanity for decision-making is short, our actions have very long-term effects and we further lack experience in the task of controlling greenhouse gas emissions through policy instruments. All these attributes make standard economic analysis difficult to apply in order to tackle climate change. This course will explore the economic characteristics of the climate change, assess national and international policy design and current implementation issues, and survey the economic tools necessary to evaluate climate change policies. The course is based on key concepts of environmental and natural resource economics, but also draws on other fields of economics.

11. Environmental Risk Prevention and Management

Anthropogenic activity has both created and exacerbated climate change and this has manifested itself in the environment around us. This module explores the relationship between anthropogenic activity and climate change before exploring means of addressing these impacts and understanding how different groups in society are vulnerable to the effects of natural hazards, slow on set disasters and environmental challenges.  The module explores how to reduce impact, demonstrate resilience and and live in a changing environment. Students will be introduced to the process of identifying the risks associated with anthropogenic activities including rapid and unplanned urbanisation and displacement, unsustainable fishing and industrialisation.  The module concludes with recommendations on how to reduce and manage the longer term affects for the environment at a local and international level.