The Center for Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Law

Climate change law has developed into a specialized field of legal research and practice, addressing the urgent global challenge of climate change. Our members possess extensive academic and practical expertise, focusing on key areas such as the UN climate regime (particularly the 2015 Paris Agreement), EU climate law, climate policy legitimacy, climate justice, human rights and litigation, the impact of short-lived climate pollutants, the intersection of climate and trade law, the role of non-state actors in governance, and theoretical frameworks in climate law.

Learn more about our research group here.

Energy law is a specialised field that focuses on the legal governance of the energy sector. We conduct international research to develop legal and policy frameworks that support the global transition to sustainable energy. Our main areas of focus include European and international energy law and policy, governance of the energy transition, constitutional and institutional frameworks in the energy sector, legal and regulatory issues in natural gas markets, international petroleum law and policy, comparative energy law, and renewable energy law.

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The pressing environmental challenges of today call for a deeper understanding of how law and legal systems can support a just and sustainable transformation. Our research focuses on how legal frameworks can help achieve ambitious sustainability goals while upholding core legal values. We target three key sustainability objectives: combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and achieving zero pollution. Our work covers a wide range of topics, including theoretical, methodological, and constitutional questions crucial to driving a fair and effective sustainability transition.

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The complexity of social-ecological systems and adaptive governance requires the study of law and society from a spatial river basin perspective. Our research focuses on how legal frameworks can support sustainable management and governance in these dynamic environments.

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The Joint Nordic Master Programme in Environmental Law (NOMPEL) offers a competitive degree in environmental law, covering knowledge at three levels: international, EU, and Nordic. The program is hosted across three campuses: Uppsala (Sweden), Joensuu (Finland), and Tromsø (Norway). Learn more.

The Specialisation programme in climate expertise brings together leading climate experts, companies and the public sector. After the programme, students will have a strong scientific know-how in climate related issues with readiness to lead and design climate actions in practice.

The programme consists of mandatory and elective courses in climate science, climate legislation and policy, as well as climate action from mitigation to adaptation.

The language of instruction and completion is Finnish. Learn more.

The Doctoral Programme in Law at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) offers high-quality, interdisciplinary doctoral studies that prepare students for academic research careers and various legal expert roles in professional settings. Learn more.

The University of Eastern Finland and the United Nations Environment Programme jointly organize a two-week capacity-building course on multilateral environmental agreements, with a different venue and theme each year. The course aims to train international environmental negotiators and diplomats from around the world. To learn more about the course and how to apply, click here.