NE_PH_SUD Sustainable Development Law and Policy

NEWTON University
winter 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: graded credit.
Teacher(s)
Olayinka Oluwamuyiwa Ojo, PhD, LL.M. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Olayinka Oluwamuyiwa Ojo, PhD, LL.M.
Centre for Humanity Studies – Academic Department – NEWTON University
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives

By the end of this course, students will be empowered to:


-     Comprehend the core legal principles that underpin sustainable development and their implications for various stakeholders.


-     Analyse key international agreements and policies on sustainability, understanding their origins, scopes, and impacts.


-     Critically evaluate the effectiveness of existing environmental laws and policies in promoting sustainable practices and achieving long-term goals.


-     Develop well-informed legal and policy recommendations aimed at advancing sustainable development initiatives within diverse contexts.


-     Address and navigate the complex challenges tied to the enforcement of sustainable development laws, including barriers, effectiveness, and compliance issues.

Learning outcomes

•        Understand Sustainable Development: Grasp its concept, evolution, and global significance.


•        Role of Global Institutions: Analyse how international organisations shape and support sustainability efforts.


•        Global Environmental Challenges: Identify key environmental issues, their causes, impacts, and solutions.


•        International Environmental Law: Understand major treaties and core principles (e.g., precautionary, polluter-pays).


•        Compliance & Enforcement Mechanisms: Examine how international agreements are monitored and enforced.


•        Climate Change Strategies: Differentiate mitigation vs adaptation and assess global and national responses.


•        Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Evaluate legal frameworks and effectiveness in achieving SDG targets.


•        Corporate Sustainability & ESG: Understand ESG frameworks and their influence on corporate behaviour and compliance.


•        Human Rights & Environment: Assess the right to a healthy environment and its legal implications.


•        Environmental Justice & Future Challenges: Explore equity, enforcement challenges, and innovative solutions for sustainability.

Syllabus
  • Week 1: Introduction to Sustainable Development Law and Policy

  • Topics:

  • - Emergence and Definition of Sustainable Development: Historical Evolution of Sustainable Development, Key Milestones - The Brundtland Report, Earth Summits, Agenda 21 Role of International Organisations (UN, UNEP, World Bank) in Sustainable Development.

  • - Climate Change and Other Environmental Challenges: Delving into the multifaceted environmental crises facing the globe, such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution.

  •  

  • Week 2 - 3: Frameworks for International Environmental Law and Sustainable Development

  • Topics:

  • - International Environmental Law Treaties: Insight into landmark treaties like the Rio Declaration, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement, focusing on their significance and impact on global environmental governance.

  •  - Environmental Law Principles and Policies: Exploring crucial principles such as Intergenerational Equity, the Precautionary Principle and the Polluter-Pays Principle that guide policy-making and implementation.

  •  - Monitoring and Compliance Mechanisms: Examining the structures in place to ensure compliance with international norms and standards.

  •  

  • Week 4: Climate Change Law and Policy

  • Topics:

  •  - National and International Climate Policies: Analysis of the policies adopted globally to mitigate climate change impacts and promote resilience.

  •  - Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Policies: Understanding strategies to reduce vulnerability to climate effects and enhance adaptive capacities.

  •  - Carbon Trading and Emissions Reduction: A focus on market-based solutions that incentivise emission reductions and promote sustainable practices.

  • Week 5: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Law

  • Topics:

  •  - Legal Frameworks for Achieving SDGs: Analysing the legal structures that facilitate implementation and monitoring of the SDGs.

  • - Principles of Sustainable Development: Explain the fundamental principles of sustainable development.

  •  - Monitoring and Compliance Mechanisms: Understanding how adherence to SDGs is evaluated at various governance levels.

  • Week 6: ESG Law and Policy

  • Topics: -

  • -    ESG Frameworks: Understanding the frameworks that guide organisations in effective ESG reporting.

  • -    Legal Obligations for Environmental Compliance: Understanding the legal standards that govern environmental responsibilities for organisations.

  •  

  • Week 7 - 8: Human Rights and Sustainable Development

  • Topics:

  •  - Right to a Healthy Environment: Discussing legal frameworks that protect environmental rights and promote sustainable living conditions.

  •  - Balancing Human Rights and Environmental Protection: Investigating the interplay between environmental conservation and the respect for human rights.

  •  

  • Week 9: Environmental Justice

  • Topics:

  •  - Environmental Justice Movements: Highlighting movements advocating for the rights of communities disproportionately affected by environmental degradation.

  •  - Access to Justice in Environmental Matters: Discussing legal pathways for individuals and organisations seeking redress in environmental issues.

  • - Social Equity in Environmental Law: Understanding the principles of equity and justice in environmental governance.

  •  

  • Week 10: Enforcement of Sustainability Law

  • Topics:

  •  - Legal Institutions and Enforcement Mechanisms: Investigating the role of institutions in ensuring compliance with environmental laws.

  •  - Challenges in Enforcing Environmental Laws: Exploring the barriers to effective enforcement and compliance within environmental legislation.

  •  

  • Week 11: Challenges and Future Directions

  • Topics:

  • -    Barriers to effective environmental law and policy.

  • -    Emerging trends in sustainable development law.

  •  

  • Week 12: Course Review and Final Project Presentation 

Assessment methods

•            Active Participation: Engage in class activities and discussions; lectures are optional but recommended. Cameras must be on for online sessions.


•            Case Study & Presentation: Complete and present a relevant case study.


•            Final Essay: Submit a 2,500-word essay as the final assessment.

Language of instruction
English
The course is also listed under the following terms winter 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (winter 2026, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.newton.cz/course/nu/winter2026/NE_PH_SUD