LAWS6302 - Human Rights and Environmental Law

Objectives

• Aims to provide students with an overview of the recent development of links between environmental law and human rights at both international and national levels.

Content

It will initially introduce the principles of international environmental law, and the relationship between the environment and human rights, with both ecocentric and anthropocentric approaches to be canvassed. The right to development, and especially the linkage between poverty, development and the environment, will be explored. Individual topics will include the relationships between human rights and pollution, land degradation, climate change, water security, implications of international trade, Indigenous peoples, biodiversity, genetic resources and access to nature. The human rights dimensions of environmental, cultural and social impact assessments will also be included. The unit will conclude with a discussion of the issue of access to environmental justice as an aspect of human rights, and the institutions relevant to achieving environmental justice.

Assessment

• 2,500 Word Assignment (30%)
• 6,000 Word Essay (70%)

Session

Semester 1 Intensive
May 17, 18 & 24, 25 May 2013

The timetable is subject to frequent changes. Please refer to the latest version of the Postgraduate Timetable.

Textbooks

DK Anton and DL Shelton, Environmental Protection and Human Rights, Cambridge 2011

Legal Professional Development (LPD)

You can credit this unit towards Legal Professional Development (LPD). Units of study that are part of Sydney Law School’s Postgraduate Program meet the necessary Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) of the Law Society of New South Wales and the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements of the New South Wales Bar Association. You may complete this unit of study by enrolling on a non-degree basis or on an audit basis only with no assessment via Single Unit Enrolment.

Courses this unit is available in

Master of Laws | Master of Global Law | Master of Environmental Law | Master of International Law | Graduate Diploma in Law | Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law | Graduate Diploma in International Law | Master of Environmental Science and Law