This is a new program being developed by the School of Law, USP. The COE component of the Program will be a new elective course on environmental law dealing mainly with MEAs of relevance to the Pacific aimed at non-lawyers for use within other postgraduate environmental Programs.

Environmental Law is of special importance to countries in the South Pacific region. As Small Island States, it is often difficult for them to be heard on the international stage. Environmental issues from global warming, depletion of fishing stocks, protection of reefs, environmental pollution and biodiversity are all matters that are of particular concern to those in the Region. To this end, it is important that there are people who have sufficient training and adequate skills to contribute to the expertise of and represent countries in the Region. Apart from this, the special environmental law issues facing small Island States in the South Pacific offers international students with a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of how less developed countries in the Region can best respond to these issues. This knowledge will be of considerable importance as far as comparative studies are concerned and will give countries in the South Pacific a greater opportunity to be heard. This proposal is for the development, writing and offering of a specific Master of Laws degree in the area of Environmental Law. It would be a Program that could be taken online. An important part of the Program is the development of links with Japanese Universities and other Institutions in the Asian region.

Project 1: Environmental Law Course (MEA emphasis - new course)
Within the above environmental law Program, it is proposed that a new environmental law course be developed using strengths available in the law school, School of Marine Studies, Department of Land Management and Development, the Pacific Institute of Advanced Studies in Development and Governance and the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development. The course will offer a regional (South Pacific) focus to matters concerning environmental law, sustainable development and biodiversity issues.

Main Activities: Course Development