15212 - Environmental Law

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with the essential tools to understand the fundamental principles and the major legal concepts of environmental law. Special attention will be paid to its practical application too.

Course contents

1. Fundamental principles of environmental law
2. Legal sources of environmental law: international law, European Union law, national law (State law and Regional law)
3. Environmental protection in the Italian Constitution
4. Public authorities and environmental protection: the role of the State, Regions and local authorities
5. Air pollution
6. Noise pollution
7. Electromagnetic pollution
8. Water pollution
9. Soil protection and the waters regime
10. Waste management
11. The control of industrial major accidents regulations
12. Energy and the environment
13. Nature protection: nature parks and nature reserves
14. Landscape heritage
15. The right of public access to environmental information and the transparency in environmental matters
16. Integrated environmental procedures: Strategic Environmental Assessment, Environmental Impact Assessment, Integrated Environmental Authorization, Environmental Single Authorization
17. Local public services of environmental importance
18. Environmental damage and protection measures
19. Economic instruments in environment public policies

Readings/Bibliography

Diritto dell’ambiente, edited by B. CARAVITA, L. CASSETTI & A. MORRONE, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2016

Teaching methods

Lectures mainly. Students will be encouraged to take an active role through debates and in-depth study upon request.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. The exam will cover all subjects set out above.

Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• knowledge of fundamental principles and major legal concepts;
• ability to analyse case-law and legal scholarship contributions;
• ability to draw connections between concepts;
• critical thinking;
• completeness of presentation;
• accuracy of presentation

Teaching tools

To deepen their understanding of environmental law, students will be given additional study materials related to the topics dealt with in class.

Office hours

See the website of Massimo Calcagnile