Applications are now open for the course on “Climate Change Law & Science: Exploring the Interplay between Legal Systems and Climate Change Science,” organised by CMCC Foundation’s Future Earth Research School (FERS) in the framework of MAGICA Project.
The Summer School will be held on 20-25 July, 2026, in the exceptional setting of Villa Vigoni on the shores of Lake Como in Italy. This advanced course offers 20 students, early-career professionals and researchers a unique opportunity to explore the evolving relationship between climate change and climate law through lectures, case studies, testimonies, and collaborative hands-on sessions.
Over the course of the week, participants will examine how climate science is produced and evaluated, as well as the role played by scientific evidence in law and policy. Particular attention will be given to the rapidly growing field of climate litigation. Participants will analyse the interaction between climate science and legal systems, focusing on how scientific findings are used to establish responsibility and causation. Exploring the realities of the courtroom, the course will cover the standards of proof and evidentiary challenges of linking climate impacts to liability, alongside the main approaches, key actors, and emerging remedies of climate litigation.
Students will also be invited to contribute to a collective publication, designed to advance interdisciplinary understanding of the intersection of climate law and climate science, showcasing the emerging perspective of early-career researchers and professionals.
Faculty
The course directors are Ivano Alogna, Senior Researcher in Climate Law at CMCC’s Advanced Training and Education Center (ATEC) and Senior Research Fellow in Environmental and Climate Change Law at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL), and Giulia Galluccio, Director of ATEC and Vice-Chair of the Joint Programming Initiative Connecting Climate Knowledge for Europe (JPI Climate).
The course will bring together faculty members and guest speakers from leading institutions, working at the intersection of climate law and climate science.
Location
Villa Vigoni is a 19th-century villa overlooking Lake Como located above Menaggio (CO). Menaggio is a charming town located on the western shore of Lake Como, facing the picturesque village of Varenna. With its beautiful lakeside promenade, historic center and surrounding mountains, it is a popular destination for visitors exploring the central part of the lake.
Fees and financial support
The registration fee is €1950 (+22% VAT – €2379 incl. VAT). The fee includes access to all course activities and materials, accommodation at Villa Vigoni, meals, and a collective transfer from Milan to Menaggio and back on the first and last day of the course.
MAGICA aims to embody and promote equitable access to knowledge and is therefore committed to fostering inclusion and equal opportunities. Accordingly, limited financial assistance is offered for participants who may otherwise face difficulties in accessing the course. Candidates interested in applying for financial assistance can specify so in the application form, and include a support statement in their motivation letter explaining their circumstances.
Applications are open until July 2, 2026. More information is available here.
The course is organised by the Future Earth Research School (FERS) of CMCC Foundation, coordinated by its Advanced Training and Education Center (ATEC), in the framework of MAGICA Project.
