Environmental Law & Social Justice

Course details In a complex world, environmental policy and law decisions have implications for the environment and the people that reside within, or rely upon it, and this 10 week course will enable you to understand these impacts. Laws on permitting, standards, compliance & enforcement mechanisms, voluntary instruments, liability regimes and citizens’ environmental rights all play a part in translating policies, goal and social objectives into reality. However, such implications may not be equitably distributed amongst all members of society and may be perceived as socially unjust. This is particularly the case where segments of society experience economic loss, greater risk from natural hazards, and a reduced quality of life either as a result of an environmental policy choice, or due to lack of effective frameworks to achieve social justice. Throughout the duration of this course, these topics will be covered: Introduction to environmental law Principles and sources of environmental law Critique of sustainable development Environment Management Systems and Corporate Social Responsibility Introduction to environmental justice Globalisation Advocacy, activism, governance, corruption Indigenous people and environmental justice Gender and environmental justice Synthesis - Environmental justice and the green economy. Academic assessment (optional) In addition to the short course itself you have the option of undertaking further study and completing an academic assessment (an additional fee applies). On successful completion of this assessment you will gain 20 academic credits at postgraduate level (Level 7). If you choose to take the academic assessment option for this course, it will take roughly four months to complete (from your enrolment through to the submission deadline for your assessment). There is an additional fee of £200 for the Master's level assessment.