Outline

Overview

This unit will provide a framework for understanding contemporary environmental issues, outline the sources of environmental law and provide an overview of the different approaches to both global and domestic environmental regulation before examining a range of topical areas, including climate change, water management, mining , pollution control, waste management, environmental planning, development control and environmental impact assessment. Overarching themes will include the implications of state sovereignty for global environmental protection, the challenges of giving effect to the principles of environmentally sustainable development through legal structures and processes, the effects of scientific uncertainty on environmental regulation, and the importance of public participation for making the value judgements required in environmental governance.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	LAWS5010
Prohibitions ?	LAWS3430
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Katherine Owens, kate.owens@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Mini-conference in-class presentation (35%) Conference presentation based on group collaboration	0%	Multiple weeks	15 minutes, plus 5 minutes Q&A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Task (0%) Multi-choice quiz	0%	Week 03 Due date: 13 Mar 2026 at 23:59	8 questions / 30mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Mini-conference Abstract (5%) An abstract summarising the key points of the mini-conference presentation.	0%	Week 09 Due date: 01 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 01 May 2026	750 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	In-class test (20%) Handwritten test	0%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 16:10	1 hour plus 15 mins reading time	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Alternative Individual Analytical Task (written) (40%) Written analysis	0%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 05 Jun 2026	1600 words (9 weeks)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Alternative Individual Analytical Task (oral) (40%) Recorded oral defence	0%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 05 Jun 2026	10 minutes (9 weeks)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

1. Early Feedback Task (0%), held in Week 3:

This unit includes an Early Feedback Task that is designed to provide students with timely insights into their understanding and engagement with the unit content. The Early Feedback Task in this unit is a multi-choice quiz involving eight questions. The task will be available on Canvas from 10 to 13 March 2026, Sydney Australia time. It will be tailored to reflect key concepts from Weeks 1-2. Students will be provided with immediate automated feedback upon completion of the task.

2. In-class, open-book, written test (20%), held in week 13:

The in-class written test will be in short-essay format, in which students must answer two questions of equal weighting selected from six options. It will cover the full range of topics in the unit, allowing students to demonstrate a critical understanding of the operation, key concepts and policy issues within Australian environmental law frameworks, consistent with the unit’s learning outcomes.

The test will be handwritten, of 1 hour duration (plus 15 minutes reading time), and will be held during the final class on Thursday 29 May 2026 at 4:10 pm (Sydney time). It will be conducted in person under supervision.

This is an open-book assessment: students may bring printed or handwritten materials into the classroom, but use of devices (including laptops, phones, or smart wearables) is not permitted.

3. Mini-conference (80%), held in Weeks 10-13:

The Mini-Conference provides an opportunity for students to engage in both individual and group research and present their findings on specific environmental law topics. It allows students to communicate and defend their perspectives on a defined problem of environmental regulation in a professional, conference-style setting. The task develops collaboration, analytical reasoning and communication skills essential to environmental law practice. The task is assessed on both a group and individual basis.

a) Group Formation

Early in semester, students will indicate their preferred topics from a list provided by the coordinator. Based on these preferences, the coordinator will allocate students to groups of four to five. Each group will collaborate on research, analysis, and preparation of presentation materials.

Groups may decide how many members will present at the Mini-Conference; this could be one, several, or all group members, depending on what best suits their research design and communication plan. Regardless of how the presentation is delivered, all members are expected to contribute substantially to the research and preparation.

Groups normally receive a common mark unless contribution evidence indicates otherwise.

Abstract (5%)

Working collaboratively, each group must prepare an abstract summarising the focus and key arguments of its presentation.
A marking guide and rubric will be provided in Week 1 to scaffold this task.

Deadline: Submit via Canvas by 11:59 pm (Sydney time) on Friday 1 May 2026 (Week 9).
Word Limit: 750 words.

In-Class Presentation (35 %)

The Mini-Conference presentations will be held during Weeks 10–13 (7, 19, 21 and 26 May 2026) in seminar sessions.
Each group presentation will run for 15 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A.

A presentation guide and marking rubric will be provided in Week 1. Both content and delivery will be assessed.

Supporting Materials

PowerPoint slides and a bibliography acknowledging sources.
Include a one-sentence AI-use declaration on the final slide.
Submit slides and bibliography via Canvas by 11:59 pm (Sydney time) two days before the scheduled session, and bring slides on a USB stick to class.

Intra-Group Peer Evaluation (Formative 0 %)

After the Mini-Conference, each student must complete a confidential Peer Evaluation Form via Canvas reflecting on the contributions of all group members, including their own.
Students will rate participation across dimensions such as preparation, reliability, teamwork, and intellectual contribution, and provide short written comments.

These evaluations are formative but will be reviewed by the coordinator to identify any serious inequities or disputes about contribution.
Where clear evidence indicates disproportionate participation, the coordinator may adjust individual marks accordingly or request supplementary evidence (e.g. drafts, meeting notes).
The purpose of this process is to encourage accountability, fairness and reflective teamwork.

b) Individual Analytical Task (40%)

This individual task accompanies the group Mini-Conference and assesses each student’s personal analytical engagement with their group’s topic. Whereas the group presentation demonstrates collaborative research and shared argumentation, the Individual Analytical Task requires students to articulate their own distinct position, interpret relevant legal principles independently, and apply them critically to the issue examined by their group.

Students must respond to one of a set of prompts provided in relation to each group topic in Week 5. Each prompt asks the student to extend, critique, or re-frame the group’s presentation in a way that ensures original individual analysis. Examples include: evaluating the group’s argument through a specific environmental law principle (such as precaution or intergenerational equity); applying First Nations perspectives or ESD principles to the issue; or analysing how the legal reasoning would change under an alternative statutory framework or factual variation. These prompts require students to draw directly on the material developed for the Mini-Conference while producing a personal, legally grounded argument.

Students may submit either:

a 1600 word written analysis, or
a 10-minute recorded oral defence, responding to the selected prompt and demonstrating the capacity to defend their position clearly and persuasively.

A marking rubric will be provided outlining expectations regarding structure, legal reasoning, integration of relevant perspectives (including First Nations knowledges where appropriate), and clarity of argumentation.

Word limit penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will exclude all footnotes (apart from discursive footnotes) and any bibliography (if required), and exclude acknowledgements of assistance from editors, automated writing tools or generative AI (where use is permitted).

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer. A link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at Referencing and Citation Styles: AGLC4.

Special consideration: Successful grants of Special Consideration may involve alternative tasks, as appropriate.

Assessment requirements to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study. As the EFT is an early diagnostic tool, this task is not included in the final grade for the unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	• Completely answers the question. • Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. • Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). • Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. • Is otherwise exceptional in some way.
Distinction	75 - 84	• Completely answers the question. • Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. • Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. • Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. • Generally well expressed and free from errors. • Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	• Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. • Contains no significant errors • Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. • Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. • Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	• Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. • Contains some significant errors. • Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. • Offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. • Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. • Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. • Adequate expression. • Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.
Fail	0 - 49	• Does not answer the question. • Contains significant or numerous errors. • Few or no identifiable arguments. • Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. • Lack of research or analysis. • Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. • Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, without an approved extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per 24 hours or part thereof, after the due time on the due date. Penalties for late submission will be applied strictly, subject to a 5 minute grace period. Late penalties do not apply to exams and tests.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Environmental Law in Context	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 01	International Dimensions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Federal/State relations and approaches to environmental regulation	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Climate change and international law; climate litigation	Seminar (4 hr)
Week 03	Australia's legal responses to climate change	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Water Law	Seminar (4 hr)
Week 05	Environmental courts and decision-making	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Pollution Law	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Environmental Planning Law	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Development Assessment	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Environmental Impact Assessment (NSW)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	EPBC Act and Environmental Impact Assessment (Cth)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Bringing the legal frameworks together; Environmental Law Mini-Conference	Seminar (4 hr)
Week 12	Environmental Law Mini-Conference	Seminar (4 hr)
Week 13	Environmental Law Mini-conference; In-class Test	Seminar (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% [OR a higher %] of classes [OR classes except lectures] to satisfy the pass requirements for this unit. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an Absent Fail grade being recorded as the student’s result for this unit (see The University of Sydney Law School Resolutions: Coursework Awards cl 11).

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library Reading List tab, available on Canvas.

The prescribed text is:

Rosemary Lyster, Zada Lipman, Nicola Franklin, Graeme Wiffen, Linda Pearson Environmental and Planning Law in New South Wales (5th ed., Federation Press, Sydney: 2021).

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. critically analyse and integrate diverse perspectives from First Nations, scientific research, economic theories, and social sciences to comprehensively understand environmental problems, identify sources of environmental law, address ethical issues in environmental contexts, and evaluate various approaches to environmental regulation
LO2. critically evaluate the influence of international environmental law on the development of Australian environmental law
LO3. identify, interpret, and apply the foundational principles of environmental law, and articulate their role in the evolution and development of environmental law frameworks
LO4. understand, analyse, and evaluate the framework and functioning of laws related to climate change, pollution control, water management, environmental planning, development regulation, and environmental impact assessment
LO5. communicate and defend personal perspectives on topical environmental issues and environmental regulation by employing sound and logically structured legal argument and be prepared to share these with diverse audiences

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

changes to assessments.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

LAWS5130: Environmental Law

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links