Master of Laws in Environmental Law

Environmental law is an innovative, dynamic, and rapidly developing field that seeks to address a complex range of challenges relating to, amongst others, sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity loss, marine and freshwater pollution, ocean governance, air quality management, waste management, illegal trade in endangered species, and ethical considerations relating to human and non-human environmental rights.

The cause, effects and potential solutions to these complex challenges often transcend national boundaries and are increasingly global in scope. This Master’s Degree aims to equip students with an advanced understanding of the scope and evolution of environmental law, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the major concepts, cases, principles and key debates that shape effective environmental law and governance frameworks and approaches.

The LLM by coursework,offered at the University of the Western Cape’s Global Environmental Law Centre (GELC) consists of the following electives:

• Advanced Environmental Law,
• International Environmental Law,
• Climate Law and Governance,
• Constitutional Law and Nature.

Through these modules, students will be introduced to the foundational rules and principles of environmental law and governance, and will be provided with the necessary skills to critically consider the role of environmental law, both in the domestic (South African) and international context in addressing contemporary environmental problems.

Distance learning through online lectures is possible.

LLM in Environmental Lawsmol