Last modified: 25 Sep 2019 09:58
Nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage are seen by some governments as key contributors alongside renewable energy to the decarbonisation of energy supplies. However, significant risks of harm to the environment and human health and challenges with securing investment and overcoming public concerns are associated with the use of both technologies. The seven seminar course examines legal responses to these risks and challenges at international, European Union and national levels, critically considering their adequacy for tackling the difficulties with employing nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage as part of a low carbon energy transition.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
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| Session | Second Sub Session | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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Nuclear energy and Carbon Capture and Storage (a technology for capturing carbon emitted by power stations/industries and storing it permanently underground) are both seen by the UK Government as key contributors to a low carbon energy transition. However, the wisdom of relying on both technologies to decarbonise energy supplies has been questioned because of: risks presented by them of harm to human health and the environment; the enormous expense of developing nuclear and CCS-ready power plants and related infrastructure; consequent difficulties with securing investment in related developments; and public concerns over their use. The course examines the legal frameworks that have been developed by states in international law, by the European Union, and by UK Governments to: regulate risks associated with nuclear and CCS; to create investor confidence in these technologies; and to address public fears. It critically considers their adequacy for tackling the significant difficulties with employing nuclear energy and CCS as key aspects of a low carbon energy transition. It concludes by exploring two further legal challenges with storing carbon underground: ensuring that it will be possible to transport carbon to storage sites; and the potential for a novel permanent use of underground cavities to conflict with long-established systems for allocating property rights and for governing uses of the marine environment.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 75 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 25 | |
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| Feedback | Word Count | 2500 | ||
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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