Diploma (10 modules)

Diploma Course in International Environmental Law

Environmental law provides the foundation for governance approaches and management policies directed towards environmental conservation and the sustainable usage of natural resources. Much of the modern body of environmental law has been developed internationally through the adoption of international conventions, but numerous agreements have also been concluded at the regional level or on a bilateral basis. All legal instruments need to be implemented at the national level through appropriate national legislation in order to ensure adequate application and compliance. Unfortunately, a multitude of states within the international system either lack the specific environmental legislation or the human resources needed for the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).

Aware of the fact that states need to enhance their national capacities in order to meet their environmental obligations, UNITAR launched a Diploma Course in International Environmental Law. The Course supplements both basic and advanced academic training in environmental law, enhancing the qualifications of all actors involved in environmental management. Designed to be global in scope, the course reaches a large number of people working for governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as professionals and students from academic and research institutions. Special attention is given to developing countries and countries with economies in transition, where environmental legislation is not sufficiently developed and which lack adequately qualified and trained personnel to implement MEAs.

The Diploma Course in International Law is organized in partnership with the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and funded by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN).