Organizer: 
UNITAR
Dates: 
De Lunes, Febrero 24, 2014 hasta Viernes, Marzo 7, 2014
Ongoing: 
Type: 
E-learning
Regions: 
Africa
Asia
Europe
América del Norte
Oceania
Sur y Centroamérica y el Caribe
Link: 
Techniques and Procedures in International Environmental Law

Background

 

Multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) are the predominant legal method for addressing transboundary environmental problems. Nowadays States, particularly least developed countries and developing countries, face the challenge of implementing over 300 MEAs with limited technical, financial and human resource capabilities. Several countries need to develop their capacities for the better implementation of environmental obligations at the national level in order to ensure adequate application and compliance of MEAs. Thus, training and capacity development are key resources for effective global environmental protection.
 
UNITAR is aware of the fact that States need to enhance their national capacities in order to meet their environmental obligations. For this reason UNITAR offers the Series of e-Learning Courses on International Environmental Law that is composed of 4 courses.

Event Objectives

The overall goal of this course is to provide participants with a comprehensive knowledge of the techniques and procedures to further improve compliance and enforcement of international environmental obligations at the national level. These obligations are acquired by States through the signature of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) which are necessary for effective global environmental protection.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course participants will be able to:
 
  • Identify the environmental regulatory measures that are necessary to avoid environmental harm and reduce or eliminate environmental risk.
  • Identify the objectives, requirements, scope and content of environmental impact assessment procedures.
  • Identify the purposes and utility of licensing and permit systems.
  • Differentiate between different kinds of economic measures aimed at protecting the environment.
  • Identify the public’s procedural right in environmental decision-making.
  • Identify the main techniques available to ensure the implementation and formulation of environmental law.
  • Develop an understanding of the non-compliance and enforcement procedures of MEAs.
  • Identify the techniques or/and procedures in IEL that can be applied to a given case study.

 

 

Content and Structure

The e-Course on Techniques and Procedures in IEL is the third course of the UNITAR Series of e-Learning Courses on IEL and it can be taken separately from the other courses of the Series. However, participants are advised to follow course 1 in order to make the most of course 3 content.

This Course is composed of following 7 interactive lessons:
 
Lesson 1: Regulatory Measures
Lesson 2: Environmental Impact Assessment
Lesson 3: Licensing and Permitting
Lesson 4: Economic Measures
Lesson 5: Public Participation
Lesson 6: Implementation and Compliance and
Lesson 7: Enforcement and Remedies.
 
Depending on the lesson, there is a slight variation of the amount of study time required. As an average, participants can expect to devote approximately 12 hours per week to review the course content and complete course activities.

Methodology

The course design allows participants to actively interact with their peers and the moderator. Guided discussion forums are organized on selected topics to allow experience and knowledge sharing.  Participants also have the opportunity to work with practical examples, analysing case studies and conducting short research.

The course is moderated by a subject matter expert. The course moderator will facilitate the learning process and guide participants throughout its duration. To assure an adequate level of interaction the cohort is limited to 30 participants.

Targeted Audience

This course is designed for government officials from ministries of the environment, agriculture, forests, water, tourism and foreign affairs. It also targets international civil servants, NGO representatives, judges, prosecutors and lawyers working in the fields of environmental law/management, international relations/politics and sustainable development.  Additionally, it is directed at academics, private sector professionals and graduates interested in specializing in International Environmental Law.