Short Course on Climate Litigation and Regulation: International and European Perspectives at the Asser Institute, The Hague (7-8 December 2026)

The T.M.C. Asser Instituut (Asser Institute) in The Hague is offering a new two-day short course, Climate litigation and regulation: International and European perspectives, from 09:00 on Monday 7 December to 17:00 on Tuesday 8 December 2026. The course is run in collaboration with SEVEN, the University of Amsterdam's interdisciplinary climate institute, and aims to give participants a practical, up-to-date understanding of international and European climate law, from the UN climate regime and the ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change to European regulation and strategic climate litigation against states and corporations.

The format includes lectures, group work and case studies relevant to participants' own work. A certificate of completion is provided after successful attendance.

• Day 1 (Monday 7 December 2026), the international stage: the international legal architecture of climate change (UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, Global Stocktake, nationally determined contributions, customary international law and state responsibility); the ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change and its implications for state regulation; human rights approaches to climate harm; the climate litigation landscape, strategic cases and their impact.
• Day 2 (Tuesday 8 December 2026), climate law in Europe: the European Climate Law and related regulations; the European Convention on Human Rights and the Klimaseniorinnen case; the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and climate obligations for corporations; and the Energy Charter Treaty.

The full timetable is in the official programme PDF.

• Dr Stephanie Triefus (Researcher, Asser Institute)
• Prof. Andre Nollkaemper (Professor International Law and Sustainability, University of Amsterdam; Academic Director, SEVEN)
• Dr Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh (Associate Professor of Sustainability Law, University of Amsterdam, SEVEN; Lead Counsel for Vanuatu in the ICJ proceedings)
• Judith Alkema (Legal Campaigner, Bonaire Case, Greenpeace)
• Mieke Reij and Funs van Diem (Paulussen Advocaten, counsel for Milieudefensie in Milieudefensie v Shell)
• Jacob Werksman (Principal Adviser, International Aspects of EU Climate Policy, DG-CLIMA, European Commission)
• Prof. Dr Christina Eckes (Professor of European Law and Director, Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance, University of Amsterdam)
• Dr Antoine Duval (Senior Researcher, Asser Institute)

The Asser Institute states that the training applies whether or not you have a legal background. It is designed for civil servants and local policymakers, corporate counsel and business staff, NGOs and strategic litigators, and academics and diplomats. The registration conditions address participants travelling from abroad (visa, international travel and accommodation), so applicants from India may register; the course itself is held in person in The Hague.

• Both days: EUR 1,050
• Day 1 or Day 2 only: EUR 595
• NGOs attending with 2 or more members receive a 20% discount; for the group discount, write to educationtraining@asser.nl.

The fee includes lectures, study materials, refreshments and a daily lunch. Participants pay for their own international travel, accommodation, evening meals and any visa charges and medical insurance. Full payment is due within 10 business days of receiving the confirmation email, and a place is secured only once payment is received in full.

Registration is open. Submit the online registration form (one form per participant); after submitting, you are directed to a secure online payment page. If you do not receive a confirmation within 24 hours, contact educationtraining@asser.nl. Please read the official registration information and conditions before registering, as the registration form is a legally binding agreement.

The Asser Institute does not publish a closing date for registration. The deadline shown here is the day before the course begins (6 December 2026); the institute's announcement notes that seats are limited, so register early.

• Cancellations are accepted only by email to educationtraining@asser.nl.
• You may withdraw within 14 days of completing payment for a full refund.
• After that, a cancellation at least four weeks before the start date carries a processing fee of EUR 250; no refund is given for cancellations less than four weeks before the start.
• If the course moves online, a 33% tuition discount applies.
• Participants who need a visa for the Netherlands are strongly advised to apply at least eight weeks before departure. The institute does not arrange visas but will assist visa applicants where appropriate.