International Law and Energy Sector: Multinational Company Impacts

This essay examines the role of international law in providing protection and redress mechanisms for local communities affected by the environmental impacts of multinational companies within the energy sector. The essay will delve into the relevant treaties, customary international law, and general principles of law, as well as the decisions of international courts and tribunals. It will critically analyze the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks in addressing issues such as environmental degradation, human rights violations, and the lack of access to justice for affected communities. Furthermore, the essay will explore the challenges of enforcing international law in this context, including issues of state sovereignty, corporate accountability, and the complexities of transnational legal disputes. The essay will also consider potential improvements to international law, as well as alternative mechanisms, to better protect vulnerable populations from the adverse effects of the energy sector's activities. It will offer reasoned conclusions and propose innovative solutions, with thorough research and coherent argumentation, based on relevant legal sources and academic literature.

INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE LAW
(5000 words, excluding footnotes and excluding bibliography)
Write a 5000 word essay on the following topic:
Critically discuss whether and how international law provides adequate
protection and redress mechanisms for local communities affected by adverse
environmental and other impacts of activities of multinational companies in the
energy sector?
Please remember to write the word count on the front page of your essay.
The main text of the essay should be in 12 point font with 1.5 line spacing. Please
use 11 point font and single spacing in footnotes. Please use page numbers
The written assignment will assess:
• In depth knowledge and understanding of a specific area of enquiry.
• A capacity to conduct critical analysis and present arguments associated with that
area of enquiry and draw reasoned conclusions.
• Research, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Written communication skills in the form of a structured, appropriately referenced
essay carried out within a specific time limit.
Assessment Criteria
The assessment criteria will consist of the following requirements, namely, that the
student has demonstrated the ability to:
• Identify relevant essential, and any novel, legal and non-legal issues
• Identify, and make appropriate reference to, relevant treaties, customary
international law, general principles of law, and decisions of international courts and
tribunals
• Make appropriate reference to relevant opinions of commentators with appropriate
citations
• Conduct critical analysis of relevant material

• Develop and propose an appropriate synthesis and conclusion with respect to facts,
issues, law and policy
• Structure the work so that statements, arguments and conclusions flow coherently
and logically
• Conduct thorough and planned library research
• Communicate in good English and use correct legal terminology
In grading assessments, the quality of work will be determined by reference to the
following:
• Breadth of knowledge of the relevant law
• Degree of insight into the issues
• Level of application of the law to the issues
• Depth of analysis, description and discussion in promoting arguments
• Extent to which viable innovative solutions are proposed
• Degree to which planning and coherence is evident in the structure of the response
• Level to which complex solutions are offered and evaluated
• Extent to which command of English is demonstrated in a legal context