Type of course

EU energy and climate change law is a course at a master level.

Students at the five year integrated master´s degree programme in law (Master i rettsvitenskap) may choose this course as a partial fulfilment of the requirements for the elective part of the programme´s fifth year, cf. Studieplan for graden Master i rettsvitenskap ved UiT med tilhørende fagbeskrivelse for 5. avdeling.

Followed by necessary application and admission process, other students on master level may also choose this course.

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree of at least 180 ECTS credits, comprising or in combination with at least 80 ECTS credits in legal studies.

Admitted students should have basic knowledge of EU law.

Students at the Integrated master´s degree programme in law may choose this course as a partial fulfilment of the requirements for the elective part of the programme's fifth year, cf. Programme Specification for the Master's Degree in Jurisprudence at the University of Tromsø (Studieplan for graden Master i rettsvitenskap ved Universitetet i Tromsø).

For information about the application process, please visit the web-pages of the UiT Admissions office.

Course content

This course provides students first an introductory but broad understanding of the policy context and of the legal framework that underpins the intricate relationship between climate change and energy within the European Union. For this, the course presents an overview of policy concerns and of the international climate change regime (UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement), as well as an outline EU regulation of relevance in the context of climate change/energy transition. Then the course adopts a more in-depth approach to key legal instruments and provisions of EU law on: renewable energy and micro and distributed generation; energy efficiency; emissions trading; and carbon capture and storage/carbon capture usage and storage.

A list of the topics covered by the course is available hereunder:

1. Introduction to Energy and Climate Change:

• The links between climate change, sustainable development, and energy
• Nature of energy markets and the structure of the energy industry
• Energy production and consumption, and GHG emissions in the EU

2. The Relationship between EU Energy and Climate Policies:

• Balancing energy security, competitiveness, and climate change goals
• EU Energy and climate change policies

3. The Climate Change Legal Regime and its Implications for the Energy Sector:

• UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement and their implications for the energy sector
• EU national determined contribution under the Paris Agreement

4. Renewable Energy and Micro and Distributed Generation:

• The role of renewable energy in energy transition towards a decarbonized economy
• Barriers and incentives to the development of renewable energy
• Regulation of renewable energy under EU law
• Microgrids, smart grids and meters, and energy "prosumers"

5. Energy Efficiency:

• The role of energy efficiency and micro and distributed generation in energy transition towards a decarbonized economy
• Regulation of energy efficiency under EU law

6. Emissions Trading:

• The role of emissions trading for the reduction of emissions
• The EU emissions trading scheme

7. Carbon Capture and Storage/Carbon Capture Usage and Storage:

• The role of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) for the reduction of emissions
• Regulation of carbon capture and storage under EU law

Objectives of the course

Knowledge:

A student who successfully completes the course shall have acquired:

• knowledge of the interdependence between climate change and energy;
• knowledge of the international climate change legal regime and its implications for the energy sector;
• advanced knowledge of the key provisions of the EU legal and regulatory regimes for renewable energy and micro and distributed generation; energy efficiency; emissions trading; and carbon capture and storage/carbon capture usage and storage;
• general knowledge of climate change and energy policies of the EU;

Skills:

A student who successfully completes the course is able to:

• explain the policy objectives, principles, laws and regulations on energy and climate change from an European perspective;
• identify, analyze, and solve legal problems of both theoretical and practical character related to energy and climate change;
• apply knowledge gained of energy law, climate change law, and regulatory concepts in a critical and independent way;
• recognize and discuss limitations of the current applicable law;
• propose legal solutions fostering energy transition into a sustainable, low carbon and resource efficient economy;
• construct and communicate legal reasoning, orally and in writing, in a clear and precise manner;
• have some appreciation for and apply comparative method as a means for examining the legal regulation of a particular industrial sector.

General competence:

A student who successfully completes the course will be able to:

• Apply the knowledge and skills obtained in the field of Energy and Climate Change Law individually and in cooperation with others;
• Investigate applicable legal and regulatory framework in order to find solutions for a particular energy-related problem;
• Communicate reasoning within the field of Energy and Climate Change Law in a clear and precise manner, orally and in writing to the academic community and the general public;
• Identify and reflect on ethical dilemmas that may arise within the Energy and Climate Change Law area in particular and deal with these in a responsible manner;
• Evaluate and respect different views on energy-climate change dilemmas and regulatory approaches.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

This course uses interactive and dynamic teaching methods. The course will consist of both lectures and seminars comprising a total of 30 hours. Guest lectures may be included as an addition. The seminars are primarily based on a set of problem-based practical cases, group assignments, and video analysis triggering critical reflection and discussion.

Students are encouraged to participate actively during the lectures and seminars. Students are expected to be prepared for lectures and seminars by studying the corresponding literature of the curriculum. Students should study independently, individually or in study groups, in periods when there are no lectures or seminars.

Information to incoming exchange students

Followed by necessary application and admission process, exchange students may also choose this course.

Exchange students must be on master level. A basic knowledge of EU law is desirable.

Do you have questions about this module? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty of law: https://en.uit.no/education/art?p_document_id=510412

Recommended reading/syllabus