After successful completion of the course, students are able to recognize fundamental legal issues in the Austrian and European context regarding energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings and disctricts, to enter into discussion about them and to articulate possible solutions. Students will gain fundamental knowledge of the legal and political circumstances that are decisive for the design of the future framework of climate-neutral cities.

Principles of European climate law and the European Green Deal; Austria's long-term renovation strategy in a European comparison; public participation; governance mechanism at the Union level; role and possibilities of action of NGOs in achieving climate targets; legal framework for energy performance of buildings; legal challenges regarding Plus Energy Districts; technical rule-making outside of Parliament.

Following the two introductory units, the students are to work out the contents of the course in groups. For this purpose, each group chooses one of four "scenarios" and deals with the corresponding questions. The scenarios are supposed to simulate real legal and political decision-making and communication processes. They are designed in such a way that the student groups approach the issues from specific perspectives. In doing so, the roles of different stakeholders are assumed. Finally, the presentation of the topics is to take place in the form of role plays, in which the other students are also invited to actively participate. Finally, there will be enough space to discuss the topics underlying the scenarios.

Presentation (role play) and written paper. The written paper will be submitted via TUWEL.