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Online LLM in Energy and Environmental Law: career outlook

Fuel a career in energy and environmental law

The market for legal expertise in energy and environmental law is ripe with opportunity. According to the UN, a shift to a greener economy could create 24 million new jobs globally by 2030.1

You may be a lawyer ready for your next challenge or a professional with growing regulatory responsibilities in the energy or environmental sector. Whatever your background, this programme offers key insights into the transnational legal frameworks.

It’s these insights, combined with our lectures’ extensive practice experience, that will help you develop the practical skills you need to tackle both energy and environmental issues worldwide.

Previous LLM graduates from the Birmingham Law School have gone on to become successful high court judges, prosecutors and law firm partners.

  • Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for approximately 60% of greenhouse gas emissions (UN 2019)2
  • Current commitments to reduce nationally determined contributions are inadequate to bridge the emissions gap by 2030 (UN Emissions Gap Report 2018)³
  • 2nd most targeted university by the UK’s top employers (High Fliers Research 2020)⁴
  • Birmingham Law School’s Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research (CEPLER) presents students with opportunities to increase their knowledge of law in action through pro bono, mooting and law-specific career events

Environmental Lawyer: 

£87,452/year

Handling client legal issues from climate change law to the management of public land, an environmental lawyer’s role is a demanding, but sought-after specialism within the practice of law. With the spotlight on company sustainability, effective communication and the power of persuasion are essential for those who wish to pursue this career.5

Legal Counsel: 

£57,552/year

Instrumental in an organisation’s decision-making process, legal counsels – or general counsels – are responsible for advising company or government departments on legal issues, ensuring they are operating within the law.6

Additional roles include:

  • Legal consultant
  • In-house counsel
  • Specialist lawyer
  • Policymaker
  • Legal advisor

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Keen to learn more? Our expert team is ready to answer any questions you may have.

Programme outcomes

When you complete this programme, you will be able to:

  • Appreciate the issues around environmental protection and the extent to which energy production depends on natural resources
  • Apply problem-solving, evidential reasoning, negotiation and drafting skills
  • Resolve legal issues from deploying resources to generating energy
  • Manage transactions underpinning energy production and supply globally
  • Determine patterns of energy production, supply and consumption

Career support

Your relationship with the University of Birmingham will continue long after your graduation. To make the most of your future career prospects, we will help you gain the skills, knowledge and attributes that employers are looking for.

One-to-one support

Access one-to-one careers advice and support via the University of Birmingham Careers Network for up to two years after you graduate.

Extensive network

Join an alumni network of over 300,000 students worldwide.

Entrepreneur assistance

Seek support via the B Start-up programme if you are an entrepreneur looking to start your own business.

Online community

Connect with your peers and lecturers and keep our thriving online community alive.

References:

  1. UNKNOWN (2019) Green economy could create 24 million new jobs. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals [online] Available at: <https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/04/green-economy-could-create-24-million-new-jobs/> [Accessed 12.02.2020]
  2. UNKNOWN (2019) 7 affordable and clean energy. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals [online] Available at: <https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/energy/> [Accessed 12.02.2020]
  3. UNKNOWN (2018) Executive summary: Emissions Gap Report 2018. United Nations Environment Programme [online] Available at: <https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/26879/EGR2018_ESEN.pdf?sequence=10> [Accessed 12.02.2020]
  4. UNKNOWN (2020) The Graduate Market in 2020. High Fliers Research Limited [online] Available at: <https://www.highfliers.co.uk/download/2020/graduate_market/GM20Report.pdf> [Accessed 12.02.2020]
  5. UNKNOWN (2020) What is an Environmental Lawyer. https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/environmental-lawyer [Accessed 19.02.2020]
  6. UNKNOWN (2020) Average Legal Counsel Salary in the United Kingdom [online] Available at: <https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Legal_Counsel/Salary> [Accessed 12.02.2020]