Navigating Climate-Related Legal Risks and Opportunities

• Introduction: the legally disruptive nature of climate change
• Scientific perspectives on decarbonisation and net zero
• International climate change law: evaluating the UNFCCC process
• Overcoming incumbency: how vested inerests slow down climate action 
• Discussion: how can we characterise the challenges facing effective legal resolution of the problems associated with climate change? 
• Evening activity: walking tour of Oxford, informal BBQ

• Economics of decarbonisation
• Decarbonisation: emission reductions and CDR
• Decarbonisation obligations (e.g. framework legislation, sector-specific obligations)
• Enabling voluntary decarbonisation: securities regulation and corporate law
• Demanding decarbonisation: climate litigation 
• Discussion: how can legal action support (or complicate) decarbonisation, and what are the limits of legal action? 
• Evening activity: walk on Port Meadow to the Perch

• Attributing climate impacts to human activity 
• Assessing climate change impacts 
• Climate litigation strategies to address climate change impacts 
• How legal accountability for climate impacts creates financial risk 
• Discussion: what level of accountability for climate change impact is desirable and how could the law facilitate such accountability? 
• Evening activity: Debate at Divinity School and Punting on River Cherwell

• Private sector action: credible and high-integrity action, and limits to private sector actions (e.g. greenwashing, limits in market-based mechanisms)
• Public sector action: the political economy of the adoption and enforcement of meaningful climate policies 
• NGO action: the role of civil society in climate action 
• Evening activity: formal dinner at Keble College

• Evaluating climate-related legal risks and opportunities in groups 
• Discussion with representatives of each sector 
• Wrap-up

This programme is designed for decision-makers, practitioners, and other key actors including but not limited to:

• Business
• Law
• Professional services
• Civil society
• Government
• Non-profit professionals
• Academics and researchers
• Individuals seeking a career change

The programme is designed to be relevant to professionals from a wide range of backgrounds and industries. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from leading Oxford faculty and other world-class experts, and to network with peers from around the globe.

Join us at the University of Oxford and become a pioneer in the field of sustainable law.

The programme fee includes all teaching costs, brand new en-suite accommodation at historic St Peter's College for five nights, breakfast, lunch and several dinners. It does not include the cost of travel to and from Oxford, visas, insurance or any personal expenses.

Payment is due within 30 days of notification of acceptance, or 6 weeks before the programme begins, whichever is sooner. Registration will only be confirmed on receipt of full payment of the programme fee. Places are allocated in order of receipt of payment. Prices are subject to revision.

Please read our full Terms and Conditions and our Pricing Policy below.

Fees:

Private: £6,750

Public: £4,500

There are four 100% scholarships available for the programme.

To be eligible you will be asked to detail:

• How the course fits with your background, current role and future career goals
• How sustainability and law fit into this picture and why you believe you should be awarded a scholarship, and
• That you are based in a DAC-Listed country

Priority will be given to those in a policy-related role in a global south nation. Scholarship applications are reviewed for suitability to the programme, and if the application is accepted, notification will be sent by email. 

Please note that scholarships cover all teaching costs, en-suite accommodation at an Oxford college for five nights, breakfast, lunch and several dinners. It does not include the cost of travel to and from Oxford, visas, insurance or any personal expenses.

1. Course fees are based on whether the course participant works in the private or public/tertiary sector:

   £6,750 private sector

   £4,500 public/tertiary sector

2. There are four fully funded scholarships available, which are funded in collaboration between the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and the Sustainable Law Programme. Those making applications for a scholarship are likely expected to be:

   Working in the public or tertiary sector

   Based in lower-middle income DAC-listed countries

3. By request, group prices may be available if an organisation purchases two or more places to an amount of approximately 5% off the full fee.
4. Places on the course are competitive, however in the occurrence that two weeks prior to the course start date places remain available, last-minute reductions to fill the course may be offered (with the exception of places obtained via the waiting list).
5. Enrolments on the course are capped at approximately 50 participants per run. Once the maximum number of enrolments has been reached a waiting list will be created. 

6. A discount of up to 10% is available for Oxford alumni and participants who have successfully completed another Smith School Executive Education course. Please contact us in this regard.

   Updated April 2024