The unit is comprised of one 2-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial each week.

Tutorials begin in the second week of the session. The questions to be answered in the tutorials will be posted on iLearn a week in advance of each lecture. 

The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/

Lecture attendance is critical to student learning in this unit. The lecture provides an overview of the topics listed for each week of the semester. The lectures are interactive and multi media. Some lectures will only be partially recorded and some will not be recorded due to copyright issues.

Non-attendance at lectures may result in students not being successful in passing this unit.

Power points will be posted on iLearn prior to each lecture which can be located on the web at http:learn.mq.edu.au. 

Attendance at tutorials is compulsory. The roll will be taken for each tutorial. You are expected to attend at least 10 of the 12 tutorials. The criteria on which you are assessed in tutorials can be found on iLearn. Students are to arrive on time and not leave until the class ends unless they inform the lecturer prior to the class.

Mobile phones must not ring during a lecture or tutorial.

Required Text:

Phillipe Sands, Jacqueline Peel Principles of Environmental Law Cambridge University Press 2013

The text can be purchased from the Macquarie University Co-op Bookshop and also in the Special Reserve Section of the Library.

Other references will be supplied on iLearn.

This area of law is subject to changes in government policy and innovations in science. During the delivery of this unit students will be informed of new and important legal issues arising both at the international and national level. When new legislation or relevant material is published it will be uploaded on iLearn. Students are encouraged to advise the unit co-ordinator of any new material that may be of interest to other students undertaking this unit.

Tehcnology Used and Required

Technology used: learning managment system (iLearn: https://iLearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/

Unit Web Page

Lecture Notes ( power point sides and other materials) are available on ILearn

Teaching and Learning Strategy

The tutorials will take place a week after the lecture. The work for the tutorials will be posted each week in advance of the lecture. Assessment includes participation in the tutorials and students will be required to undertake the prescribed readings prior to class and to contribute to class activies. Tutorials will commence in the second week of the session.

Development must be sustainable so that future generations can continue to access the many benefits this planet provides. In light of this statement, this unit explores the effects of economic development and the associated depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation which affect the atmosphere, the land and the sea. The unit focuses on how scientific research promotes the introduction of international and national legal frameworks that seek to address the challenge of sustainable management and utilization of resources.  This necessarily involves taking into account issues of equity and justice and considering the needs of developing countries.                                                                                            

The unit focuses on the following challenges:                                           

1. The need to move away from fossil fuel use because it releases harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere which cause pollution, climate change and global warming. 

 2. Addressing unsustainable deforestation whereby large quantities of carbon are emitted into the atmosphere and existing carbon sinks destroyed. The loss of forests is a major threat to biodiversity, rain production and the harnessing of fresh water.

3. Over fishing in the oceans

The unit looks at the causes of these problems and assesses the effectiveness of international and national legal agreements that attempt to address these problems.

Unit rationale

The unit gives students an understanding of the relationship between the sciences and the law that address the sustainable management of the world’s natural resources both internationally and nationally. Students will critically evaluate whether enough is being done by governments, non-government organizations and citizens to promote and foster a sustainable and healthy planet for current and future generations.

The unit uses research by the Macquarie University researcher

In press: Patricia Blazey 'The Trials and Tribulations of Gaining world Heritage Listing for the World Tropics World Heritage Area' (2014) vol 4 no 4 International Journal of Public Law

Tim Cadman, Tek Maraseni, Patricia Blazey, ‘Perspectives on the Quality of Global Environmental Governance: An evaluation of NGO participation in global climate negotiations in the Asia-Pacific and beyond’ with Australia and New Zealand (2012) Third Sector Review (vol. 18, no. 1)

Patricia Blazey, ‘Challenges Faced in Sustainably Managing the Tropical Rainforest in Papua New Guinea’ OIDA (2012) vol 4 no. 4 International Journal of Sustainable Development 35 – 48

Patricia Blazey, ‘China’s Approach to Dealing with Increasing Desertification in Northern China’ (2012) vol 45 no 3 The Chinese Economy

Patricia Blazey, ‘Will China’s 12th Five-Year Plan Allow for Sufficient Nuclear Power to Support its Booming Economy in the Next Twenty Years?’ (2012) vol 21 Pacific Rim Law and Policy Journal University of Washington Law School

Patricia Blazey, ‘Theoretical Issues That Underlie The Drafting Of A Binding Treaty To Prevent Further Deforestation And Degradation Of The World’s Tropical Rainforest’s (2012) vol 2 176 Int. J. Public Law And Policy,

Patricia Blazey, ‘Sustainable management of world forests – to what extent can regulation drive it?’ (2011) vol 1 no 2 Int. J. Public Law and Policy

Patricia Blazey, 'Competing Theories on Protecting the World's Remaining Rainforests - Public Good Global Commons or Sovereignty' in Sylvia Mercado Kierkegaard Law Across Nations Governance Policy and Statutes International Association of IT Lawyers 2011

Patricia Blazey, Kaywah Chan ‘Commercial Law of the People’s Republic of China’ (Lawbook Co Thomson Reuters Legal 2012)

Responses to Deforestation and Desertification

China’s New Approach to Energy and Clean Energy in the 21^st century

The Challenges of Environmental Protection

China’s Approach to Water Shortage and Pollution - with Wei Li

The Legal Response to Increasing Problem to Waste Disposal in China

Patricia Blazey, B Connors, C DeLacey, ‘The Vicissitudes of Emissions Trading’ (Green Power Monash University Publication 2010)

Patricia Blazey, B Connors, C DeLacey, ‘The Australian Emissions Trading Scheme’ (Green Power Monash University Publication 2010)

Patricia Blazey, P.Gillies 'Feed-In Tariffs in Australia – Fiscal Incentives and Regulatory Regimes – Current Developments – Policies for the Future’ (2010) International Journal of Private Law

Patricia Blazey ‘Fiscal and Regulatory Challenges of Managing Sinks on the Basis of the Australian Experience’ in Critical Issues in Environmental Taxation; International and Comparative Perspectives (Vol VI Oxford University Press UK March 2009)

Patricia Blazey, P Gillies, ‘China – Growth and Current Challenges’ (2009) June Business Law Journal

P Gillies, Patricia Blazey, ‘Sustainable Housing in Australia – Fiscal Incentives and Regulatory Regimes - Current Developments – Policies for the Future’ in Critical Issues in Environmental Taxation; International and Comparative Perspectives Vol VI (Oxford University Press UK March 2009)

Patricia Blazey, P Gillies, ‘Reducing Emissions from Coal in Australia: Fiscal and Related Instruments – the Current State of Play‘ (2008) July Murdoch University E-Law Journal

Patricia Blazey, B Connors, ‘Emissions Trading Schemes –Traps for New Players’ (2008) November Macquarie Business Law Journal.

Patricia Blazey, P Govind, ‘Environment Law in China’ ‘Intellectual Property Law in China' in Chinese Commercial law and Legal System (Thomson Legal and Regulatory Ltd 2008)

Paticia Blazey, ‘China’s Rapid Economic Growth and Resultant Negative Externalities’, (2007) November University of New South Wales Law Journal

Patricia Blazey, P Govind, ‘Financial Adaptation Challenges for the Insurance Industry due to Climate Change’ (2007) November Macquarie Journal of Business Law