Course on Geneva Conventions Applied to Environmental Pollution
Online course of 300 h on Geneva Conventions applied to environmental pollution. 6 modules covering Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, Articles 35.3 and 55, the ENMOD Convention (1976) and QGIS. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
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Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the protection of the environment as a legal asset in armed conflicts.
Interpret Articles 35 and 55 of Additional Protocol I and the ENMOD Convention.
Analyse the precautionary obligations during hostilities.
Assess environmental damage with the support of remote sensing tools.
Determine the applicable liability and reparation regimes.
Propose good practices for environmental prevention and management.
Prepare a legal and environmental analysis of a real case.
Who it's for
- Legal adviser in international humanitarian law seeking to specialise in Geneva Conventions applied to environmental pollution.
- Environmental analyst in conflict contexts seeking to specialise in Geneva Conventions applied to environmental pollution.
- Specialist in environmental remote sensing seeking to specialise in Geneva Conventions applied to environmental pollution.
- Researcher in international environmental law seeking to specialise in Geneva Conventions applied to environmental pollution.
- Post-conflict assessment technician seeking to specialise in Geneva Conventions applied to environmental pollution.
- Consultant in environmental reparation seeking to specialise in Geneva Conventions applied to environmental pollution.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to join international organisations.
What you'll work with
- Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, Articles 35.3 and 55
- ENMOD Convention (1976)
- Rome Statute, Article 8.2.b.iv
- ILC Principles on the protection of the environment in armed conflict (2022)
- ICRC Guidelines on the protection of the natural environment (2020)
- Directive 2004/35/EC (environmental liability)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Evolution of environmental protection in the law of armed conflict1.2Civilian objects and the natural environment1.3Additional protocols and their environmental provisions1.4Threshold of widespread, long-term and severe damage1.5Convention on Environmental Modification for Hostile Purposes1.6Applicable customary rules1.7Relationship with international environmental law1.8Legal and technical vocabulary1.9Sources and interpretive bodies1.10Exercise: classifying three environmental damage situations
2.1Principle of distinction as applied to the environment2.2Proportionality and incidental environmental damage2.3Precautions in attack and in defence2.4Installations containing dangerous forces2.5Dams, dykes and nuclear power plants2.6Objects indispensable to survival2.7Prohibition of methods causing excessive damage2.8Explosive remnants of war and land contamination2.9Contamination from fuel and munitions2.10Practice: analysis of an attack and its environmental damage
3.1Post-conflict environmental assessment methodologies3.2Remote sensing and field data3.3Soil and water characterisation3.4Contamination by metals and hydrocarbons3.5War residues and their management3.6Impact on biodiversity and protected areas3.7Public health and population exposure3.8Documenting evidence3.9Chain of custody for samples3.10Practice: designing a post-conflict assessment
4.1State responsibility for environmental damage4.2Compensation mechanisms and their experience4.3Claims commissions4.4War crimes and environmental damage4.5Proposals for autonomous criminalisation4.6Jurisdiction and evidentiary obstacles4.7Role of international organisations4.8Reparation, restoration and their cost4.9Participation of affected communities4.10Practice: opinion on a claim
5.1Environmental integration in planning5.2Environmental management of military installations5.3Staff training on environmental obligations5.4International guidelines and guidance5.5Protection of areas of special value5.6Transparency and access to environmental information5.7Cooperation with environmental bodies5.8Remediation of legacy sites5.9Regulatory agenda under development5.10Practice: environmental guidelines for an operation
6.1Choice of case or scenario6.2Applicable legal framework6.3Identification of affected environmental assets6.4Design of the damage assessment6.5Analysis of liability and reparation routes6.6Proposal of prevention measures6.7Community participation plan6.8Transparency plan6.9Analysis report6.10Defence of the work
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is QGIS, Google Earth Engine, Copernicus Browser (Sentinel), R (statistical analysis), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for environmental damage assessment through remote sensing, case studies of armed conflicts and legal analyses of liability. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the protection of the environment as a legal asset in armed conflicts.
Interpret Articles 35 and 55 of Additional Protocol I and the ENMOD Convention.
Analyse the precautionary obligations during hostilities.
Assess environmental damage with the support of remote sensing tools.
Determine the applicable liability and reparation regimes.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses QGIS, Google Earth Engine, Copernicus Browser (Sentinel) and R (statistical analysis). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Consult the recognition policy when you enrol.
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