Module description
Analysing the universally significant theme of green regulation in transnational settings, this innovative module explores the import of environmental protection in the context of trade regulation. In particular,
the module explores the import of environmental protection for trade governance in the EU (e.g. the European Green Deal) and internationally (e.g. influence of green regulation across regulatory regimes internationally, significance for the conclusion of international trade agreements, import for post-Brexit relations).
As regulators globally seek to balance international environmental commitments around climate change and sustainability with economic welfare, the module explores current global debates about environmental safeguarding. Focusing on expansive trade governance regimes in the context of product regulation (e.g. on car emissions, genetically modified products, chemicals) and the regulation of services (with special regard to the implications of technological advancement in this field), the module examines their application, with reflection on the implications of such regimes for global policy and regulatory development, for cross-border relations and for international market actors.
Based around a number of thematic case studies, exemplifying topical regulatory complexities at the intersections of legal, scientific, economic, political and social debates, the module offers the possibility to gain insight into both the theoretical and practical challenges of ‘green’ regulation.
The module is envisaged to be highly interactive in nature, with collaborative learning activities to encourage a variety of perspectives - students are warmly invited to bring along their questions and reflections.
Assessment details
3,000-word Essay (100%)
Educational aims & objectives
The educational aims of this module are to explore the topical debates on the import of global environmental commitments for trade regulation. The module seeks to respond to regulatory challenges and equip students with the opportunity to develop their critical thinking in a contested area, at the intersection for example of legal, economic, political and social debates.
In particular, students would be invited to study expansive governance regimes in product regulation and services provision and to reflect on the implications of such regimes for global policy and regulatory development, for cross-border relations and for international market actors.
The module is based around a number of thematic case studies, offering students the possibility to gain insight into both theoretical and practical challenges arising in this context.
The module is intended to be very interactive in nature, fostering collaboration and dialogue, enabling students to learn in a highly engaging educational environment and to undertake further research based on their developed appreciation for potentially varying perspectives.
Teaching pattern
Weekly 2-hour seminars
Suggested reading list
- Maletic, ‘The Law and Policy of Harmonisation in Europe’s Internal Market’ (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2013).
- Maletic, ‘Trade Regulation and Policy in the EU Internal Market: an Assessment through the Services Directive’ (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2022).
- Biondi, ‘Regulation for a sustainable and resilient internal market: the role State Aid policy’, ‘Regulation for a sustainable and resilient internal market’, European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) (2023), pp. 43-68.
- Bradford, ‘The Brussels Effect: How the European Union Rules the World’ (Oxford University Press, 2020).
- Commission Communication, ‘The European Green Deal’, COM (2019) 640.
- Commission Communication, ‘”Fit for 55”: delivering the EU's 2030 Climate Target on the way to climate neutrality’, COM (2021) 550.