General information

The main objective of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the law and governance applicable in the Arctic in the face of climate change. Students will learn about the legal challenges presented in a warming Arctic and a broad set of legal and regulatory instruments that can be used to manage this highly dynamic environment, while being aware of different rights and interests at play. 

The course is divided into five parts:

1. Introduction and foundations: law-making, instruments, processes, actors (2 sessions)

2. Natural resources in the Arctic (3 sessions)

3. Activities in the Arctic (3 sessions)

4. Arctic resilience (3 sessions)

5. Concluding session (1 session)

First, the course gives an overview of the main trends and developments in the Arctic in the Anthropocene and the legal foundations (principles, regimes, actors) that apply in the region. After setting the scene, the course centers on the regulation of natural resources in the Arctic, with a focus on both land- and sea-based resources. The students will acquire comprehensive knowledge on Arctic resource management in light of climate change, including tensions between land use, biodiversity protection and human rights. Third, the course delves into activities in the Arctic (tourism, shipping and mining) that contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases, are affected by global warming, and that present a tension between the use and protection of Arctic resources. For example, the desire to protect this unique region vs the need for obtaining minerals for the green transition.  After that, the course focuses on the concept of socio-ecological resilience and the interface with law in the Arctic. A concluding session will summarize the main takeaways of the course.

Accommodation

Please note that the summer courses are non-residential. Participants are responsible for finding and funding accommodation during their stay in Copenhagen.

You can use different online portals to search for accommodation, such as:

Airbnb
Danhostel
Hostel World

UCPH Housing Foundation (acceptance letter from UCPH required).

Registration

Application form

ECTS accreditation

Bachelor and master level

7,5 ECTS