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Environmental Law is emerging as a distinct field of law in every nation and region. Legislatures establish environmental laws based upon the need to address perceived environmental problems in their territory or in a region of shared resources such as a river basin or coastal marine regions or the habitats for migratory species. In some instances, national legislation is stimulated by the negotiation and adherence to multilateral environmental agreements.
This seminar examines the scope of national environmental law and how it evolves, through introducing students to the analytic techniques of Comparative Law. The patterns of legislative, administrative and judicial decision-making for environmental law are compared in civil law, common law, socialist law and theocratic legal regimes. The systems of central governmental are contrasted with those of federal systems. Regional systems of governance and management are also compared, particularly the European Union with ASEAN.
This seminar will be conducted via video-conferencing between the teachers and students at NUS and Prof Nicholas Robinson and his students at the Pace University School of Law (Pace). Pace Law School is one of the best law schools in the US for Environmental Law, and Prof N Robinson is a distinguished authority in environmental law. He was former Chair of the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law and founding member and former Chair of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law. He has won many accolades for his contributions to environmental law.

International law traditionally concerns itself with the relations between states, yet environmental problems transcend borders. International environmental law demonstrates how international norms can affect national sovereignty on matters of common concern. The course surveys international treaties concerning the atmosphere and the conservation of nature, and connections to trade and economic development. Institutions and principles to promote compliance and cooperation are also examined. The course will assist students in their understanding of international law-making. It would be of use to those interested in careers involving international law, both for the government and public sector and those in international trade and investment.

This course examines the progressive development of environmental law, policy and governance in ASEAN. It also considers the role of ASEAN in supplementing and facilitating international environmental agreements (MEAs), such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the Convention on Biological Diversity, UNESCO Man & Biosphere,etc. It will evaluate the extent of implementation of the ASEAN environmental instruments at national level - some case studies will be examined. There will be comparative studies of ASEAN environmental instruments with similar instruments in other regional organizations, and also the work of other regional organizations in the Asia.

International law traditionally concerns itself with the relations between states, yet environmental problems transcend borders. International environmental law demonstrates how international norms can affect national sovereignty on matters of common concern. The course surveys international treaties concerning the atmosphere and the conservation of nature, and connections to trade and economic development. Institutions and principles to promote compliance and cooperation are also examined. The course will assist students in their understanding of international law-making. It would be of use to those interested in careers involving international law, both for the government and public sector and those in international trade and investment.