Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Climate Law and Ocean Litigation

This professional diploma prepares you to analyse the growing link between climate law and the law of the sea. You will study the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, UNCLOS and the biodiversity agreements, the advisory opinions of international courts and tribunals and the trends in climate litigation against states and companies, so that you can interpret obligations, legal risks and compliance strategies in the marine sphere.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the programme

What is the Professional Diploma in Climate Law and Ocean Litigation?

This professional diploma prepares you to analyse the growing link between climate law and the law of the sea. You will study the international climate regime, from the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement, nationally determined contributions, Article 6 markets and loss and damage, alongside UNCLOS, the duty to protect the marine environment, the London Protocol and the agreement on marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. You will then analyse advisory opinions of ITLOS and the International Court of Justice, climate litigation against states and companies, corporate liability and compliance, and comparative climate and coastal law.

What sets this diploma apart: a dual legal framework, combining climate law and the law of the sea in one programme; case law with commentary, analysing relevant decisions and advisory opinions; a practical view of legal risk for shipping companies, ports and states; an international focus on treaties, courts and tribunals and United Nations bodies; and a practical case in which you prepare a legal analysis of an ocean litigation scenario.

Programme typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Programme highlights

  • Dual legal framework: climate law and the law of the sea in one programme.
  • Case law with commentary: analysis of relevant decisions and advisory opinions.
  • Practical view: legal risk for shipping companies, ports and states.
  • International focus: treaties, courts and tribunals and United Nations bodies.
  • Corporate compliance: due diligence, climate disclosure, contracts and duties of board members.
  • Practical case: legal analysis of an ocean litigation scenario.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Climate Law and Ocean Litigation

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Fundamentals of climate law

  • 1.1. Climate science for lawyers
  • 1.2. Principles of international environmental law
  • 1.3. The Framework Convention on Climate Change
  • 1.4. The Kyoto Protocol
  • 1.5. The Paris Agreement
  • 1.6. Nationally determined contributions
  • 1.7. Article 6 market mechanisms
  • 1.8. Loss and damage
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

The law of the sea and the marine environment

  • 2.1. UNCLOS and its structure
  • 2.2. Maritime zones and jurisdiction
  • 2.3. The obligation to protect the marine environment
  • 2.4. Land-based marine pollution
  • 2.5. Pollution from ships and the role of the IMO
  • 2.6. Dumping and the London Protocol
  • 2.7. The agreement on high seas biodiversity
  • 2.8. Dispute settlement under UNCLOS
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

The ocean in the climate regime

  • 3.1. Recognition of the ocean in the negotiations
  • 3.2. The ocean and climate change dialogue
  • 3.3. Emissions from shipping
  • 3.4. The IMO greenhouse gas strategy
  • 3.5. Sea-level rise and maritime boundaries
  • 3.6. Statehood and territory in the face of rising seas
  • 3.7. Blue carbon in nationally determined contributions
  • 3.8. Marine carbon dioxide removal and its regulation
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Courts, tribunals and advisory opinions

  • 4.1. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
  • 4.2. The International Court of Justice
  • 4.3. Advisory opinions on climate change
  • 4.4. Due diligence of states
  • 4.5. Regional human rights systems
  • 4.6. Obligations of prevention and cooperation
  • 4.7. Legal value of advisory opinions
  • 4.8. Implications for coastal states
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Climate litigation

  • 5.1. Types of climate litigation
  • 5.2. Claims against states
  • 5.3. Claims against companies
  • 5.4. Human rights and climate
  • 5.5. Scientific evidence and attribution
  • 5.6. Standing
  • 5.7. Greenwashing litigation
  • 5.8. Litigation trends and strategies
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Corporate liability and compliance

  • 6.1. Environmental civil liability
  • 6.2. Sustainability due diligence
  • 6.3. Mandatory climate disclosure
  • 6.4. Legal risk for shipping companies and ports
  • 6.5. Contracts and climate clauses
  • 6.6. Insurance and liability
  • 6.7. Corporate governance and duties of board members
  • 6.8. Compliance programmes
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Governance and comparative law

  • 7.1. National climate change laws
  • 7.2. Coastal planning and adaptation
  • 7.3. Environmental assessment of marine projects
  • 7.4. European Union law on climate and the sea
  • 7.5. Indigenous peoples and coastal communities
  • 7.6. Climate justice
  • 7.7. Public participation and access to justice
  • 7.8. Regulatory trends
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Practical case: legal analysis of an ocean dispute

  • 8.1. Presenting the scenario
  • 8.2. Identifying the applicable rules
  • 8.3. Determining jurisdiction
  • 8.4. Analysing the obligations
  • 8.5. Assessing the scientific evidence
  • 8.6. Arguments of the parties
  • 8.7. Proposed resolution
  • 8.8. Defending the legal opinion
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Climate Law and Ocean Litigation

It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
15
months to finish
67 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Climate Law and Ocean Litigation

01Know the international climate regime.
02Master the environmental law of the sea.
03Connect the climate and ocean regimes.
04Analyse climate litigation.
05Assess liability.
06Apply legal analysis to specific cases.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Climate Law and Ocean Litigation

01Climate and ocean legal adviseradvice to companies and public authorities.
02Environmental litigation lawyersupport in climate and marine proceedings.
03Climate policy officerdesign and analysis of regulations.
04Compliance specialistmanagement of climate-related legal risk.
05NGO analystadvocacy and strategic litigation.
06Consultant to international organisationssupport in ocean negotiations and governance.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Climate Law and Ocean Litigation

No. It is a specialist programme of the Navalis Institute; practising law requires the official qualification and professional registration of each country.

No, although it is recommended. The programme includes the legal grounding that technical profiles need.

Yes. Public decisions and advisory opinions of national and international courts and tribunals are analysed.

No. The approach is international, with references to comparative law.

A legal opinion on a litigation scenario related to climate and the ocean.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The professional diploma comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of about 100 hours each and ends with a practical case. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enrol.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at law and international relations graduates who wish to specialise in climate and the ocean, lawyers in law firms and legal advisory services who advise maritime and energy companies, public authority staff who apply climate and marine regulations, NGO professionals working in advocacy and strategic litigation, and compliance and sustainability managers who handle climate-related legal risk. A degree in law, international relations, political science, environmental science or a related field, or professional experience in the legal, environmental or maritime field, is recommended.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrolment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $428 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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