- Basics of EU Law. Institutions of EU Law.

This seminar (taught in English) wants to provide a broad introduction into the policy and Law of the European Union in the domain of environmental protection. It is divided in two parts. In the first one, the seminar explores the basic or constitutional features of this field of EU Law: the historical evolution, the environmental principles; the decision-making process; the legal basis, actors and principles; the connection between the activity of the EU and the regional and global environmental problems, and finally, the implementation and enforcement of EU environmental Law. In the second part, the seminar: (a) Focuses on the main "horizontal" techniques of environmental protection in EU Law, such as the environmental impact assessment; environmental liability; IPPC; and access to information, participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters (b) explores a couple of sectors of substantive environmental legislation, for example air pollution, By participating in this seminar the Spanish-speaking students will also reinforce their English communication skills..

I .- THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND LAW OF THE EUROPEAN UNION: KEY FEATURES. 1) Basic cornerstones in the evolution of the EU environmental policy. 2) The principles of the EU environmental policy 3) The EU programs of action 4) General structure of EU environmental Law. Primary law and secondary law. Main legal instruments and techniques 5) The international activity of the EU and the regional and global environmental problems. International environmental traties and EU Law: the case of climate change 6) The EU bodies in the field of Environmental policy and Law: the Commission and agencies 7) The rule-making process: legal basis, actors and results 8) The enforcement structure of EU environmental law: enforcement by Member States authorities and the use of administrative techniques. 9) Enforcement by EU Institutions. II.- Horizontal and Sectoral instruments in Environmental protection. Overview of the main horizontal techniques: a. Environmental Assessment: plans and projects b. Access to Information, participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters: The Aarhus Convention and EU Law c. Environmental liability d. IPPC e. Overview of the different sectors of substantive EU environmental legislation.

- Regular lectures - In-class discussion of legal materials and ECJ rulings in the field of environmental protection - Paper writing. - Individual work by the student (preparation of the materials and in-class discussions).