Law and Sustainability - Tackling Global Environmental Challenges

Overview

The law is both a driver of the contemporary environmental, natural resource, and sustainability challenges which humanity faces today, and a critical tool for addressing them. From climate change and biodiversity loss to water scarcity and energy efficiency, the law plays a critical role in society’s ability to mobilise an effective response. 

Developed by Oxford University’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, this course surveys the most pressing sustainability issues and the existing and emerging legal frameworks that may address them across a range of jurisdictions.

Delivered over eight weeks, entirely online, our course will address sustainable development and the law, environmental protection and climate change, and opportunities for intervention within health and food law and corporate and securities law. 

During this law and sustainability course, you will examine and develop an understanding of:  

• the most pressing sustainability challenges domestically and globally;  
• legal principles and frameworks for environment and sustainability;  
• the key international treaties developed to address sustainability issues like climate change and the loss of biodiversity;  
• the relationships between science and the law;  
• systemic lawyering for sustainability; and
• the role of non-legal actors including NGOs, think tanks, and civil society; how corporate and securities law can address sustainability challenges.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be empowered with an understanding of sustainability and equipped with tools and perspectives that will have immediate benefits to your career. You will also receive a certificate that will support your career progression and enhance your resume.

This course is also certified by the CPD UK's (Continuing Professional Development) Certification Service. Learners will be able to request their CPD certificate after successfully finishing the course, using their certificate of completion as proof of eligibility. The course has an estimated 40 hours of learning, equating to 40 CPD points. 

Note, the onus is on students to request these CPD certificates at the end of their studies. The University and partners accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.