This course is aimed at persons with a professional interest in legal and practical developments in the field of energy and the environment. No prior knowledge of energy or environmental law is required.
The global energy industry is growing, changing and becoming subject of increasing public focus and government policy. This leads to the development of increasingly important energy & environmental regulations and commercial practices. This course will introduce students to all areas of energy & environmental law and business by outlining the main areas of environmental law and by tracing legal developments surrounding the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power through to the growth of green technologies. Students are provided with a basic understanding of the international energy industry and relevant regulatory/commercial regimes and will give guidance on the practicalities of legal work in the energy sector.
The Course is designed for approximately 25 hours (excluding lunch breaks), but can be shortened / extended to meet client wishes. Students will have the opportunity to participate in 4 practical group exercises as part of the training and will be shown several relevant short films.
Objectives
The aim of this course is to give attendees a basis and/or build upon prior knowledge and skills for legal-commercial work in the international energy and environment sector, including private or in house practice or for national/international government organisations by:
· Furnishing students with a high-level knowledge of all areas of international environmental &, with particular focus on offshore energy and development of the electricity markets.
· Providing an insight into the energy industry and its major players.
· Helping students to develop practical commercial and legal skills that can be transferred directly into the workplace.
· Developing students’ drafting skills.
· Improving students’ oral skills through class discussion and debate.
· Giving practical examples of the pragmatic application of legal theory in the workplace.
· Demonstrating how commercial contracts are developed and used.
· Exploring the influence of international policy on legislative and business development.
Day 1: International Environmental Laws, overview of the main laws, regulation and customary practices in
- Oceans and Rivers – Convention of the Law of the Sea, jurisdiction and state boundaries, Marine Pollution conventions, River and Lakes conventions, shipping flag states
- Air pollution – transboundary air pollution, emissions conventions, ozone layer
- Hazardous Substances – registration & management of certain types of chemicals
- Species and biodiversity – Biodiversity convention and how this is applied nationally / internationally
- Waste Management – Pollution and waste shipment conventions
- [Space] can be included as an area of interest.
Day 2: Energy Law:
- Explanation of different regimes for national energy sources (hydrocarbons) and international governance such as nuclear.
- Integration of renewables into the energy mix
- Pipeline case study group exercise, with persons “representing” various different stakeholder and their interests. [Client’s own case study can be used if preferred.]
Day 3: Energy Industry
- Regulators
- Procurement Rules
- Contract overview
- Crossing Agreement negotiation group exercise, with persons representing either side negotiating key clauses such as liability, scheduling, access. [Client’s own contract form can be used if preferred]
Day 4: Climate Changes
- 2050 climate goals
- Renewable Energy Targets
- Kyoto Protocol, emission trading
- Paris Agreement and future developments
Please note that actual timing may differ for those set out above.
The course can be fully tailored to meet client needs. Clients are free to choose to exclude parts of the course or have additional focus on others. Specific client wishes can also be accommodated if there are any elements not listed above.