UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
UN Photo/Mark Garten
Effective implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) requires not only a solid understanding of International Environmental Law (IEL), but also familiarity with the technical and procedural mechanisms used to develop, apply and enforce environmental norms.
This self-paced course introduces the key regulatory, economic, and procedural tools that States, institutions, and stakeholders use to prevent environmental harm, assess impacts, involve the public in decision-making, and ensure compliance with international obligations.
The programme is designed to help learners build practical skills relevant for national implementation of MEAs and environmental governance.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Identify the principal regulatory instruments used to prevent and mitigate environmental harm.
- Describe key economic instruments applied to promote environmental goals.
- Explain the purpose and procedures of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
- Illustrate how environmental licensing systems operate.
- Define procedural rights related to public participation in environmental decision-making.
- Specify the main techniques used to ensure compliance with IEL obligations.
Curriculum Structure
- Standard-setting tools
- Restrictions and prohibitions
- Economic instruments: incentives & disincentives
- Tradable permits and joint implementation
- Eco-labelling and market-based tools
- Public licensing regimes
- Objectives and procedures of licensing
- Definition and purpose of EIAs
- EIA procedural steps
- Risk assessment: concepts, criteria and processes
- Rio Declaration and procedural rights
- Right to environmental information
- Right to participate in decision-making
- Right to legal recourse
- Role of NGOs, industry and civil society
- Compliance control mechanisms
UPCOMING DATES
- Q1: 5 Jan - 5 April 2026, Deadline 4 Jan 2026. Register here
- Q2: 6 April - 5 July2026, Deadline 5 April 2026. Register here
- Q3: 6 July - 4 Oct 2026, Deadline 5 July 2026. Register here
- Q4: 5 Oct - 3 Jan 2027, Deadline 4 October 2026. Register here
Fee: 200 USD
Methodology
The course is delivered entirely through UNITAR’s Virtual Learning Environment and includes:
- Interactive multimedia lessons
- Practical case studies
- Self-assessment exercises
- Downloadable PDFs for offline study
- Infographics and visual materials
- Flexibility to complete the course within 3 months
- Support from the UNITAR team
Estimated workload: ~30 hours
Target Audience
Designed for:
- Government officials and policymakers
- International civil servants
- Lawyers and judges
- NGO and environmental governance professionals
- Academics and students
- Stakeholders involved in MEAs and environmental compliance
No prior legal background required.