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  6. LS4579: RENEWABLE ENERGY LAW (HONOURS)

LS4579: RENEWABLE ENERGY LAW (HONOURS) (2014-2015)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

A transition from reliance on fossil fuels to low-carbon renewable energy is essential for mitigating climate change and for making energy supplies more sustainable. The course considers the challenges and concerns that this fundamental change in the nature of energy supplies gives rise to, and explores law’s role in addressing them. The course examines the legal regimes for promoting renewable energy at international, EU and UK levels, and considers how law can be used to address significant constraints on the growth of renewable energy including difficulties with grid access and public opposition to wind energy development.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term Second Term Credit Points 25 credits (12.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Olivia Woolley

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

None.

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Course Aims: To develop an in depth knowledge and critical appreciation of some current legal issues raised by the need to replace fossil fuel energy with energy from low carbon renewable sources. Main Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding By the end of this course students should have knowledge of:
  • The legal framework governing renewable energy development at international, European and national levels;
  • Concerns with the adequacy of this framework for promoting renewable energy;
  • Wider legal issues associated with the decarbonisation of energy supplies in connection with mitigating climate change. Students will be able to assess critically the ways in which law is currently used to promote renewable energy, and consider what alternative approaches could be employed for this purpose. Subject-Specific Skills and Concepts See above. Key Skills (Transferable)
  • Students’ analytical abilities will be advanced through critical consideration of legal frameworks for renewable energy.
  • Students’ legal academic writing skills will be enhanced through undertaking a 2500 word assessed essay. Content: A transition from reliance on fossil fuels to low-carbon renewable energy is essential for mitigating climate change and for making energy supplies more sustainable. The course considers the challenges and concerns that this fundamental change in the nature of energy supplies gives rise to, and examines law’s role in addressing them. The course covers the relationship between international law (particularly the climate change regime) and the worldwide expansion of renewable energy, legal measures for supporting renewable energy production and transmission in the EU and the UK, legal responses to difficulties with decarbonising energy for heating and transportation, and the important roles of planning systems and development consent regimes in promoting renewable energy onshore and offshore and addressing its negative environmental impacts and public opposition to renewable energy developments. The course focuses on EU and UK law, but will also draw from international law and laws in other EU Member States.

    • Further Information & Notes

    This course is also available to candidates for the MA in European Legal Studies or Legal Studies as a 30 credit course (LX 4579). This variation of the course will require an additional element of assessment.

    Contact Teaching Time

    Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

    Teaching Breakdown

    More Information about Week Numbers


    Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

    Summative Assessments

    1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (75%) and an essay of 2,500 words (25%). MA Legal Studies/European Legal Studies students will have an additional non-counting essay of 1,000 words. Resit: Normally, no resit is available.

    Formative Assessment

    There are no assessments for this course.

    Feedback

    Feedback will be provided on the feedback form within three weeks from the date of submission.

    Course Learning Outcomes

    None.
     

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