Module manager: Carrie Bradshaw
Email: C.J.Bradshaw@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
LAW3133 Law and the Environment
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Environmental problems – a warming planet, growing rubbish piles, the destruction of habitats – are amongst the most complex faced by today’s societies. These problems also pose multiple challenges for legal control and regulation. Ecosystems are understood only subject to significant scientific uncertainty, whereas environmental impacts cross jurisdictional and disciplinary boundaries. How does the law respond to these challenges? This module explores the struggle to tackle environmental problems through a variety of forms of environmental law, regulation and governance. Whether you are a committed environmentalist, a climate sceptic, or perhaps more in the middle, studying the use of law to tackle pressing social, economic and environmental challenges should be of universal appeal. For these and other reasons, this is a popular module that students find enjoyable and challenging, irrespective of their commitment to environmental protection. We think critically about, and actively debate, what law can achieve (and what it can’t) in the face of complex global problems. Understanding the limitations of legal control also leads us to consider the role of a range of government and non-government actors - from corporations, to lawyers, to activists, and even ourselves as consumers and citizens - in seeking solutions to problems like air pollution, climate change, waste, and land use.
The module aims to introduce students to the key concepts and approaches in Environmental Law and explores how these apply, in specific contexts, with a focus on English law. This knowledge will ensure the students understand core aspects of Environmental Law generally, and approaches in England specifically.
The learning activities are designed to explain and discuss these, and to help students to develop their ability to evaluate the role of law in tackling environmental problems.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
Critically analyse and synthesise legal concepts, values, principles, and rules to assess their effectiveness across a range of environmental problems
Critically reflect on the role of law in addressing environmental problems, suggesting improvements or alternatives
Critically evaluate the law’s contribution to complex environmental problems, proposing legal reforms or new approaches
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
Demonstrate critical thinking skills in analysing complex legal and regulatory issues, proposing solutions;
Communicate persuasively, effectively conveying complex ideas and legal concepts in written form.
Potential topics include:
Understanding environmental problems
Regulatory strategy
Environmental governance
The environment and the courts
Environmental liability
Air pollution and climate change
Waste
Habitats and nature conservation
Planning
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1.5 | 7.5 |
| Private study hours | 181.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 18.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
181.5
A formal formative assessment opportunity will be provided for the summative assessment task, which is specifically pedagogically aligned to that task. As part of this, each student will receive feedback designed to support the development of knowledge and skills that will be later assessed in the summative task.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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