Human Rights and the Environment

The course focuses on two key terms, human rights and sustainability, to address the impact of environmental degradation and climate change on people worldwide.  

The earth gets warmer and warmer as a result of the human impact on the climate. 2011-2020 marked the warmest decade ever recorded and we’ll keep on seeing an increasing temperature if no changes are made. The global warming leads to natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, drought and heat waves. These disasters, in turn, can lead to the displacement of people, so-called climate refugees, where individuals are forced to leave their homes in search of safety.  Not infrequently, famine and diseases also arise in these crises. Climate change affects different parts of the world in different ways. In many cases, already vulnerable groups suffer the consequences of environmental disasters, despite contributing very little to global warming themselves. This, in turn, presents challenges for the legal system regarding how a fair distribution of responsibility and support should be structured to address these inequalities.  

The technological and political development in relation to climate change presents new demands, not only on the legal system, but also on how companies and society can contribute to the protection of human rights in a time of environmental degradation. This raises questions about if and how public international law can compel states to take positive measures to protect people from disasters caused by global warming. What measures must be taken to address foreseeable threats that could trigger such disasters? What is required of states to assist victims of climate-related disasters and protect their rights? 

After completing the course, you will understand the significance of public international law’s role in relation to human rights and sustainability in addressing these crises. The course will analyze the legal frameworks surrounding human rights and sustainability and how these can be applied in practice in various global scenarios. The course also provides an opportunity to discuss and analyze the limitations of public international law and whether these legal instruments are sufficient to meet the growing challenges in an increasingly uncertain global climate.  

Course content

Human Rights and the Environment is an 5 credit undergraduate-level online law course conducted in English over a period of 10 weeks. The course will provide you with an understanding of the historical development of environmental justice. Key concepts such as biodiversity and global supply chains will be included and utilized throughout the course. You will gain insight into the relevant policies and conventions that shape this legal field, as well as ongoing discussions and perspectives from various stakeholders. Additionally, you will gain an understanding of why, when and where the development of human rights began, as well as how environmental issues have become an important part of this development. You will become familiar with specific areas within the subject, including various conventions and other documents in public international law. This will enable your understanding of law and its applicability. Furthermore, the course aims to highlight bilateral agreements and other forms of cooperation.  

If you want to engage in a critical and multifaceted discussion on human rights and the environment, this course is for you! 

Course design

The course is made up of five modules stretched over a 10-week period. Each module will include an online lecture, assigned readings, and a quiz. As a final moment in each module, you will write a short reflective paper.