SOC044 Basics of EU Environmental Law

Faculty of Law
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. JUDr. Jakub Hanák, Ph.D. (lecturer)
JUDr. Jiří Vodička, Ph.D. (lecturer)
JUDr. Vojtěch Vomáčka, Ph.D., LL.M. (lecturer)
Mgr. Lucie Zdráhalová (lecturer)
JUDr. Dominik Židek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
JUDr. Vojtěch Vomáčka, Ph.D., LL.M.
Department of Environmental Law and Land Law – Faculty of Law
Contact Person: Mgr. Vendula Strnadová
Supplier department: Department of Environmental Law and Land Law – Faculty of Law
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 1/15, only registered: 8/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course comprises a brief overview of EU environmental law, with a focus on both legal regulation and corresponding CJEU case law. It will trace the development of EU environmental law to date and will analyze the legal principles applied to nvironmental protection and the application of environmental law in practice. Particular attention will be paid to selected, current key areas of environmental law and public participation in protection of environment. On completion of the course, diligent students should have a good overview of the principles, techniques and regulatory framework of environmental law at national and European level.
Learning outcomes
The student will be able to - identify basic environmental problems - identify basic sources of EU environemental regulation - apply environmental legislation to specific cases.
Syllabus
  • 1. Environmental policy of EU, its history and development, aims and instruments. The role of environmental action plans. 2. EU environmental law - sources of law, system of environmental regulation and relation to other EU policies, environmental law principles. 3.Harmonization of environmental requirements. EU law transposition and implementation. The role of national courts and the role of CJEU. 4. Access to environmental information, participation of public in environmental decision-makig and access to justice - the 3 pillars of Aarhus Convention. 5. Environmental impact assessment. 6. Air protection. 7. Ozone layer regulation. Global climate change in EU environmental policy. 8. Nature protection. Natura 2000. 9. Biodiversity protection. Regulation of trade in endangered species of animals and plants. 10.Inland waters protection. 11.Waste management. 12.Chemical substances and environmental protection. Prevention of industrial accidents.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • Jans J., Vedder H. European environmental law. 4th ed. Groningen: Europa Law Publishing, 2012, 560 s.
  • - Krämer L. EU Environmental Law. 7th ed. London: Sweet and Maxwell, 2011, 465 s.
  • - Fisher E., Lange B., Scotford E. Environmental Law. Text, Cases and Materials. Oxford University Press, 2013.
  • - Macrory, R.: Principles of European Environmental Law. Proceedings of the Avosetta Group of European Environmental Lawyers, Europa Law Publishing, Groningen 2004, 256 s.
    not specified
  • STROUHAL, Jakub a Vojtěch VOMÁČKA. Conservation of Nature and Landscape in the Process of Locating, Constructing and Operating Wind Power Plants in the Czech Republic. In Jančářová, Ilona. Dudová, Jana a kol.. Sustainable Development and Conflicts of Int
  • VOMÁČKA, Vojtěch. Balancing Nature Protection and Other Public Interests: Czech Example. In Helle Tegner Anker, Birgitte Egelund Olsen. Sustainable Management of Natural Resources: Legal Instruments and Approaches. Cambridge: Intersentia, 2018. s. 177-19
  • Legislation The Water Framework Directive and its relation to other EU legislation Pia Frederiksen¹, Milla Mäenpää, Henning Sten Hansen.
  • European Union: Wildlife Trade Regulations in the European Union An I ntro duc tion to CITES and its I mplementation in the European Union, 2010
  • LANGLET, D., MAHMOUDI, S.: EU Environmental Law and P|olicy, Oxford University Press, 2016, 386 pp.
  • VOMÁČKA, Vojtěch a Petra HUMLÍČKOVÁ. Public Participation and EIA in the Multi-Stage Decision Making Process: The Czech Example. In Jerzy Jendroska, Magdalena Bar. Procedural Environmental Rights: Principle X in Theory and Practice. Cambridge: Intersenti
  • Kerstin Sundseth:The EU Birds and Habitats Directives, 2014
Teaching methods
lectures with discussion
Assessment methods
Lectures are held for a minimum of 5 students. Reading assignments and cases necessary for discussions will be given by the course co-ordinator during the course. The examination in the form of a written test and one semestral paper/ppt.presentation. Examination - credit requirements: 1. Semester paper/ppt. presentation 2. Written test 3. Participation in lessons
Language of instruction
English
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2015, Autumn 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Autumn 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Autumn 2019, Spring 2020, Autumn 2020, Spring 2021, Autumn 2021, Spring 2022, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Spring 2024, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/law/spring2025/SOC044