LAW5389 The law of climate change
Faculty of Law
LAW5389 The law of climate change is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Law. It isn't offered in 2026. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Other periods
- Monash Law Chambers
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before LAW5389
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After LAW5389
No unit lists LAW5389 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
For Juris Doctor students (L6005), you must have completed 72 credit points of study.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
Climate change is among the most daunting problems the world faces in the 21st century. This unit deals with the legal dimension of climate change, paying due regard to its social, political and economic context. The unit will examine the development of national, supranational and international regulation, and explore how public and private actors mobilise instruments from different fields of law to facilitate or to undermine climate change mitigation and adaptation. This subject examines Australia's response to climate change at national and state levels, and compares to examples in foreign jurisdictions in key regions such as the European Union, America, or Asia. Select topical or emerging issues are discussed in detail from areas such as market mechanisms, protection of carbon sinks, clean development, environmental refugees, food security, sustainable development goals etc.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Term 4 | Monash Law Chambers | On campus, block |
Assessment
- Class participationDemonstration10%
- Presentation20%
- Reflection paperWritten20%
- Research paperWritten50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Demonstrate a sound understanding of fundamental aspects of climate law, regarding key climate change bodies, fundamental principles of international climate change law, and the relationship between international, supra-national and national climate change responses;
- 2
Critically assess and evaluate the role and contribution of Australian climate change law in the context of regional or national responses to climate change;
- 3
Undertake research, investigate, analyse and synthesise complex issues of climate change from a range of primary and secondary materials;
- 4
Use cognitive, technical and creative skills to identify issues of climate change law in factual scenarios and to develop complex arguments for the appropriate application of principles of climate change law to address these issues;
- 5
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, on current issues of climate change law and the application of underlying legal principles in Australia, internationally, or select regions such as the US, Asia, or Europe; and
- 6
Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and make use of feedback on performance to support personal and professional development.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit typically comprises of a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study applicable to a 6 credit point unit. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning, and online engagement.
Learning resources
Required resources
See the Moodle unit page for prescribed and recommended resources. Prescribed texts are usually available for purchase through the University Bookstore and are sometimes available for short-term loan or as eBooks through the library.
Where it fits
LAW5389 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
- GLBSOCHR04Research-integrated electivesGlobal society and human rightsNo reviews yet
- PSGOVREG05Research-integrated electivesPublic sector governance and regulationNo reviews yet
- TECHINVT04Research-integrated electivesTechnology and innovationNo reviews yet
- TRANSECR04Research-integrated electivesTransnational economic regulationNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Sarah Brugler
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for LAW5389?
LAW5389 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is LAW5389 offered?
LAW5389 has no offerings listed in the 2026 handbook.
Does LAW5389 have an exam?
No. LAW5389 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include LAW5389?
LAW5389 is part of Global society and human rights; Public sector governance and regulation; Technology and innovation; and Transnational economic regulation.