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Climate Change and Energy Law

Application Form
Complete Online Application Form at
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Start Date
15 July 2024

Apply By
21 June 2024

Cost
R16,400.00

Duration & Format
This is a semester-long course where participants attend evening lectures from 17:30 to 19:00 once a week during the period 15 July to 22 October 2024. Exams will take place on the 30 October 2024 to 26 November 2024.

Overview
Climate Change and Energy Law will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the international climate change regime, South African climate change policy, and the country’s commitment to mitigate its greenhouse gas emissions. The course will thereafter examine, from the perspective of meeting demand for electricity and transport fuels in light of South Africa’s climate change obligations, the governance and regulation of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), unconventional gas (fracking), nuclear power, and renewable energy.

Course Outcomes
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • Understand and apply theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to the international climate change regime
  • Discuss and evaluate the South African climate change policy.
  • Assess and analyse the country’s commitment to mitigate its greenhouse gas emissions and linkages with energy security
  • Analyse and evaluate the governance and regulation of fossil fuels, electricity and nuclear power, climate change and renewable energy
  • Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in international legal instruments, policy documents, pieces of legislation, and judgments of the courts on climate change and energy law and evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.

Course Content
The course consists of the following topics:

  • Climate change and energy law concepts and interlinkages
  • International legal framework for Climate Change and International legal framework for Energy
  • Development, energy and climate impacts in Africa
  • South African climate change and energy regulatory framework
  • Governance and Regulation: Fossil Fuels
  • Governance and Regulation: Liquid Fuels
  •  Governance and Regulation: Electricity and Nuclear Power and
  • Renewable energy and regulatory responses to climate Change.

Target Audience
Environmental lawyers, policymakers, energy industry professionals, and individuals interested in sustainable energy solutions.

Application Process
A relevant Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Commerce in Law or Bachelor of Arts in Law or equivalent qualification is a prerequisite for admission to the postgraduate certificate courses; OR

Applicants with any other undergraduate qualifications must complete the bridging course Introduction to Law for Non- Lawyers or equivalent courses first as well as have relevant legal work experience in the specific legal field before they would be considered for other courses.

You will be required to submit a copy of your Bachelors Degree, academic record as well as a copy of your identity document or passport.

Kindly note that all foreign qualifications must be submitted with a SAQA Evaluation Letter.

Additional Information
One of the following certificates can be obtained: 

  • Certificate of Attendance: To obtain a certificate of attendance, students are required to attend and participate in 75% of the lectures. 
  • Certificate of Competence: To obtain a certificate of competence, students are required to attend and participate in 75% of the lectures and to complete the assessments as required in the course.

This postgraduate certificate course is accredited by the university in accordance with its statutory mandate.  It does not lead to a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework.

Enquiries 
Mahlatse Masemola Tel No: +27 11 717 8438; Email mahlatse.masemola@wits.ac.za 
Ursula Dillner-Dangor Tel No: +27 11 717 8435; Email: ursula.dillner-dangor@wits.ac.za 
Website www.wits.ac.za/mandelainstitute/short-courses/

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