Natural Resources form the bedrock of global economic development. However, development and use of natural resources have implications for the environment, often leading to other socio-economic and political challenges such as poverty, disease and conflicts, especially in developing countries. The resulting environmental impacts such as climate change, pollution and degradation of habitats and species extinction has also raised serious challenges for governance and diplomacy at the international level, often pitting international economic policies and frameworks with natural resources and environmental governance.

This course will provide you with an excellent understanding of the law and policy issues in this area, and skills necessary to pursue a career in this exciting field, whether this be in private legal practice, as in-house lawyers in corporations, policy-oriented work in intergovernmental and other international institutions in advocacy in civil society organisations.

The course offers a wide range of modules that are contemporary, academically rigorous and skills oriented. The design ensures you gain core knowledge of the wider context framing law and policy in this field whilst giving you the flexibility to tailor your degree to suit your particular interests by choosing from a range of specialist modules. You will explore emerging issues such as a low carbon economy, unconventional and alternative energy, the regulation and governance of multinational corporations and the responsibility of states in addressing these concerns.

Our courses are shaped by the School of Law International Advisory Board, made up of leading figures in the judiciary and legal practice, academia and wider industry and society who advise us on the skills and competencies needed in the current and future workplace. This feeds into the design and delivery of our courses, ensuring our students gain knowledge and experience that is not only academically rigorous but valued by employers.