Ateneo - UPO

The course provides students with a comprehensive overview of European Union environmental law and its effects within national legal systems, with particular reference to the Italian legal order. Teaching adopts a mainly practical approach; however, the analysis of the individual topics is preceded by an introduction to EU law covering the Union's institutional framework, the types of EU legal sources, and the relationship between EU law and national law. For the detailed syllabus, see the 'Content' section.

A. Buonfrate, A. Uricchio, Trattato breve di diritto dello sviluppo sostenibile, Wolter Kluwer, latest available edition.
International students may agree with the lecturer on the use of a handbook in English or in their native language.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired a thorough understanding of environmental law within the European Union legal order, its interaction with national rules, its relationship with the international framework, and the relevant enforcement mechanisms, including private enforcement. They will also have detailed knowledge of EU regulatory action concerning environmental protection, climate change and sustainable development, as set out in the detailed course content.

No prior knowledge is required other than that expected for passing the skills assessment test.

Lectures, including possible co-teaching sessions with subject-matter experts; seminars; working groups.

Course attendance is strongly recommended. The University's instructions concerning the possible provision of blended teaching activities will be followed.
Students with disabilities, specific learning disorders (SLD) or special educational needs (SEN) may request dedicated services and tools by contacting the relevant office and consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities.
After contacting the University's support staff, students concerned may contact the course lecturer to agree on teaching arrangements and the appropriate implementation of the examination methods.

Written essay

GENERAL PART
- Introduction to the basic concepts of European integration (definition; historical background; European Communities and European Union; primary and secondary sources; relationship between EU sources and domestic sources).
- EU competences in environmental matters: Article 5 TEU; Article 11 TEU; Article 3 TFEU; Articles 191 et seq. TFEU.
- General environmental principles: precaution; prevention of pollution at source; the 'polluter pays' principle; environmental liability; risk analysis.
- Evolution of European sustainability strategies: European Green Deal; Next Generation EU; NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan); REPowerEU; Clean Industrial Deal.
SPECIAL PART
GENERAL PART
- Introduction to the basic concepts of European integration (definition; historical background; European Communities and European Union; primary and secondary sources; relationship between EU sources and domestic sources).
- EU competences in environmental matters: Article 5 TEU; Article 11 TEU; Article 3 TFEU; Articles 191 et seq. TFEU.
- General environmental principles: precaution; prevention of pollution at source; the 'polluter pays' principle; environmental liability; risk analysis.
- Evolution of European sustainability strategies: European Green Deal; Next Generation EU; NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan); REPowerEU; Clean Industrial Deal.

SPECIAL PART
I. Decarbonisation and the fight against climate change:
a) international legal framework (Washington Convention; Kyoto Protocol; Paris Agreement);
b) European Climate Law;
c) Fit for 55 package;
d) EU ETS and CBAM;
e) Industrial Emissions Directive;
f) climate litigation.

II. Circularity and waste:
a) Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP);
b) Directive 2008/98 on waste and Directive 2019/904 on single-use plastics (SUP);
c) promotion of recycling and reuse: Directive 2018/849 on end-of-life vehicles, batteries and accumulators; Directive 2018/852 on packaging and packaging waste, updated by Regulation 2025/40; Ecodesign Regulation (Regulation 2023/1542).

III. Environmental protection:
a) Habitats Directive (1992/43);
b) Birds Directive (2009/147);
c) Nature Restoration Regulation (2024/1991);
d) Deforestation Regulation (2023/1115);
e) Water Framework Directive (2000/60);
f) Clean Air Directive;
g) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56);
h) Regulation on the prevention of invasive alien species (1143/2014);
i) Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35);
j) REACH Regulation.

IV. Sustainability in supply chains:
a) Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive;
b) Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive;
c) Green Taxonomy Regulation (2020/852).

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1) describe the essential features of the EU legal order, the European integration process and the related institutional framework;
2) identify the sources of EU law, explain the relationship between the EU and national legal orders, and outline the main proceedings within the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union;
3) present EU environmental law clearly and systematically within the context of EU environmental policy;
4) analyse cases, texts and EU rules, identifying the essential elements of a specific issue;
5) address practical cases and propose concrete solutions in light of the applicable rules and the most significant case-law discussed during the course.