Energy Law

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON ENERGY LAW

COURSE BACKGROUND

Energy law stands at the forefront of many pressing global crises, encompassing issues from geopolitical energy conflicts and the imperative of climate change energy transition to the multifaceted pollution challenges arising from energy-related disasters, and fundamentally, the pursuit of energy justice. A deep and confident understanding of this intricate field is crucial for professionals navigating the complexities of today’s world.

ECAS Institute offers this course to provide a comprehensive introduction to both the solutions and challenges within energy law. We bring together a distinguished team of experts from academia, leading law firms, and the industry to deliver a well-rounded account of the principal legal and regulatory issues impacting both renewable and non-renewable energy sectors. The course adopts an international and comparative perspective, allowing participants to critically assess the robustness of current energy laws in meeting ambitious climate targets like the Paris Agreement.

This program will explore crucial questions, such as the viability of existing legal frameworks for global temperature control, the need for diverse technological and regulatory options like hydrogen and carbon capture, the investment implications of a changing climate, and the pivotal role lawyers play in these critical decisions and transactions.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. Gain a deep understanding of the complex system of energy law, encompassing energy independence, economics, security, and environmental sustainability.
2. Analyze carbon reduction policies, including their legal frameworks, prospects, and inherent problems.
3. Understand the dynamics of climate change litigation and its implications for the energy sector.
4. Evaluate the changing legal landscape in the oil & gas sector and the legal and societal dimensions of the energy transition.
5. Explore the legal and regulatory aspects of Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) technologies.
6. Address the legal challenges associated with the decommissioning of offshore installations.
7. Understand the implications of maritime boundary disputes for seabed energy investments.
8. Recognize the vital role of lawyers in energy crisis and disaster response.
9. Comprehend the current legal landscape and future direction of renewable energy law.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course provides a deep introduction to the solutions and challenges of energy law, bringing together a distinguished team of experts from academia, leading law firms, and industry. You will learn about:

• Energy Law as a Complex System: Understanding the interconnectedness of energy independence, economics of energy, energy security, and environmental sustainability within legal frameworks.
• Carbon Reduction Policies: Examining the legal aspects, potential, and challenges of various policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
• Climate Change Litigation: Exploring the growing trend of legal actions related to climate change and their impact on the energy sector.
• The Changing Legal Landscape in the Oil & Gas Sector: Analyzing the legal and societal shifts driven by the energy transition, impacting traditional energy industries.
• Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS): Delving into the legal and regulatory considerations surrounding CCS technologies.
• Decommissioning of Offshore Installations: Understanding the legal obligations and processes for dismantling abandoned or disused offshore energy infrastructure.
• Maritime Boundary Disputes & Implications for Seabed Energy Investments: Examining how international maritime law affects the exploration and development of offshore energy resources.
• Role of Lawyers in Energy Crisis and Disaster Response: Exploring the crucial legal functions during energy crises and environmental disasters.
• Renewable Energy Law: Gaining insights into the current legal framework governing renewable energy and its anticipated future direction.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course designed to provide a deep introduction to the solutions and challenges of energy law. The program will bring together a distinguished team of experts from academia, leading law firms, and industry, offering a well-rounded account of principal legal and regulatory issues from an international and comparative perspective. The detailed program schedule, including specific session timings and learning activities, will be communicated upon registration.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course would be beneficial for a diverse audience interested in the legal and governance aspects of energy and natural resources. This includes:

• Legal practitioners
• Law students
• Law academics
• Non-lawyers with an interest in:
  • Global governance of energy and natural resources
  • Environmental law
  • Climate change law
  • Energy transition law

TRAINING MODULES

The course content is structured around key topics that explore the complexities of energy law from various angles:

No	Module	Details
1.	Energy Law as a Complex System	This module introduces the foundational concepts of energy law, framing it as an intricate system influenced by multiple interconnected factors. Key Topics: Energy Independence Economics of Energy Energy Security Environmental Sustainability
2.	Carbon Reduction Policies: Law, Prospects and Problems	This module delves into the legal and policy instruments designed to mitigate carbon emissions, examining their effectiveness and challenges. Key Topics: Legal frameworks for carbon reduction Effectiveness and limitations of carbon policies Challenges in policy implementation Future prospects for carbon reduction legislation
3.	Climate Change Litigation and the Energy Sector	This module explores the burgeoning field of climate change litigation, analyzing its implications for energy companies and policy. Key Topics: Types of climate litigation (e.g., tort, human rights, corporate disclosure) Legal precedents and emerging trends Impact on energy sector investments and operations Role of courts in climate governance
4.	The Changing (Legal) Landscape in the Oil & Gas Sector	This module examines the evolving legal and regulatory environment for the oil and gas industry in the context of the global energy transition. Key Topics: Legal and societal dimensions to the energy transition Impact of decarbonization goals on fossil fuel extraction and use Regulatory responses to declining demand for traditional energy Challenges and opportunities for legal professionals in the sector
5.	Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) Law	This module focuses on the legal and regulatory frameworks governing Carbon Capture & Storage technologies, a key component of some decarbonization strategies. Key Topics: Legal classification of CO2 Permitting and licensing for CCS projects Liability regimes for CO2 storage International frameworks for CCS
6.	Decommissioning of (Abandoned or Disused) Offshore Installations	This module addresses the complex legal and environmental challenges associated with the end-of-life cycle for offshore energy infrastructure. Key Topics: International conventions and national regulations on decommissioning Removal obligations and exceptions (e.g., Rigs-to-Reefs) Environmental liabilities and financial assurance Case studies of decommissioning projects
7.	Maritime Boundary Disputes & Implications for Seabed Energy Investments	This module explores the intersection of international maritime law, boundary disputes, and their direct impact on investments in offshore energy resources. Key Topics: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) principles Types of maritime boundaries (e.g., territorial sea, EEZ, continental shelf) Dispute resolution mechanisms for maritime boundaries Impact of disputes on exploration and production rights
8.	Role of Lawyers in Energy Crisis and Disaster Response	This module highlights the critical role legal professionals play in managing and responding to energy-related crises and disasters. Key Topics: Emergency legal frameworks Liability and compensation in energy disasters Crisis communication and legal strategy Regulatory compliance during and after an incident
9.	Renewable Energy Law: The Legal Landscape and Future Direction	This module provides an overview of the legal and regulatory frameworks specifically tailored for renewable energy development and its future trajectory. Key Topics: Legal frameworks for different renewable technologies (e.g., solar, wind, hydro) Incentive mechanisms (e.g., feed-in tariffs, auctions, quotas) Permitting and siting for renewable projects Grid integration and transmission challenges Emerging trends in renewable energy law (e.g., prosumer rights, energy communities)

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES

• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.