Class Environmental Law

Environmental Law is increasingly intersecting with the economy, gradually influencing all sectors of economic activity. This connection has already gone beyond the dimension of "classical" concepts, such as sustainable development, and is now constantly present in other contexts, including markets, as exemplified by the ESG criteria.

This relationship is strongly influenced by European Law, in which the integration in various areas and the regulatory trend have provided for ample developments, including in the scope of the European Green Deal. European institutions currently assume a guarantor role in relation to the environment.

1. Introduction to Environmental Law

a. Delimitation of the subject

b. Evolution of Environmental Law

2. Sources and principles of Environmental Law

3. Subjects of Environmental Law

a. “Traditional" subjects

b. Natural and legal persons: the case of companies

4. The economy and the evolution of the concept of sustainable development

5. The influence of European Law

a. The European Green Deal and its background

b. The new markets

c. The influence of ESG criteria

6. Future trends

In the context of a master’s degree, it is essential to promote the capacity for autonomous research and the completion of in-depth academic work, both orally in class, as well as in writing. In this connection, the course takes a seminar model, guided by lectures that promote dialogue and have a practical nature, fostering the debate, resorting to relevant doctrine and jurisprudence.

Evaluation method:

- Presentation of work in class on a topic of the program: 40%.

- Presentation of final work: 40%:

- Participation in class: 20%

ANTUNES, TIAGO, «Pelos Caminhos Juri¿dicos do Ambiente – Verdes Textos», AAFDL, Lisboa, 2014.

ARAGÃO, MARIA ALEXANDRA DE SOUSA «O Princípio do Nível Elevado de Protecção e a Renovação Ecológica do Direito do Ambiente e dos Resíduos», Almedina, Coimbra, 2006.

CANOTILHO, GOMES, «Introdução ao Direito do Ambiente», Universidade Aberta, Lisboa, 1998.

JANS, JAN H. / VEDDER, HANS H.B., «European Environmental Law», Groningen, Europa Law Pub., 2008.

SILVA, VASCO PEREIRA DA, «Verde, Cor de Direito – Lições de Direito do Ambiente», Almedina, Coimbra, 2002.