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Environmental Regulation: Law and Policy
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:08:40
Abstract
The aim of this course is to make students with a technical scientific background aware of the legal and political context of environmental policy in order to place technical solutions in their regulatory context.
Objective
The aim of this course is to equip students with a legal and regulatory skill-set that allows them to translate their technical knowledge into a policy brief directed at legally trained regulators. More generally, it aims to inform students with a technical scientific background of the legal and political context of environmental policy. The focus of the course will be on international and European issues and regulatory frameworks - where relevant, the position of Switzerland within these international networks will also be discussed.
Content
Topics covered in lectures: (1) Environmental Regulation a. Perspectives b. Regulatory Challenges of Environment Problems c. Regulatory Tools (2) Law: International, European and national laws a. International law b. European law c. National law (3) Policy: Case studies Assessment: (i) Class participation (25%): Students will be expected to contribute to class discussions and prepare short memos on class readings. (ii) Exam (75%) consisting of two parts: a. Policy brief - a maximum of 2 pages (including graphs and tables); b. Background document to the policy brief - this document sets out a more detailed and academic overview of the topic (maximum 8 pages including graphs and tables);
Resources
Lecture Notes
The course is taught as an interactive seminar and in-class participation is expected from the students. Participation will be capped at 20 in order to maintain the interactive nature of the classes.All classes, readings, and assignments, are in English.Teaching will take place over three days in January.
Literature
The book for this course is van Zeben and Rowell, A Guide to EU Environmental Law, University of California Press, 2020 - available via https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520295223/a-guide-to-eu-environmental-law . Electronic copy of remaining readings will be provided to the students at no cost before the start of the lectures.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 20
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar |
Environmental Regulation: Law and Policy
Block course
|
|
12 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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Type B: Reflection About Subject-Specific Methods and Contents (Subject-specific courses. Particularly relevant for students interested in those subjects. All these courses are also listed under the category “Typ A”, and every student can enroll in these courses.)
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