Topics

This is an overview of the topics usually dealt with during the fall semester. In the log-in area schedule and required reading are available under schedule/readings and additional readings are available under resources (only available for students enrolled in the course).
 

Introduction

• Introduction to the European Union
• Introduction to European environmental policy – history and policies; institutions and processes (decision-making)

Policies

• Bioenergy – Solution for the energy crisis
• Climate Change and Climate Protection Policy
• Adaption to Climate Change
• The European water policy
• The European waste policy
• Ecological industrial policy
• Renewable energies
• Resource Efficiency

Instruments, approaches & Governance

• Environmental policy integration
• Participation , access to information and access to justice
• Behavioral approaches to environmental policy
• NGO's lobbying
• Common goods

The EU in the World

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Recycling Environmentalism: The EU as part of a global community for sustainable development?
• The EU and international environmental governance
• UN Climate Change Conferences
• Transatlantic relations and climate change / EU & US relations on environmental issues