Hans Christian Bugge

Hans Christian Bugge is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Oslo's Faculty of Law, specializing in Environmental Law and Spatial Planning. He holds a doctorate in regional planning from Université Paris II (1972) and a dr.juris from Oslo University (1998). Before academia, he served in senior roles in Norway's Ministry of the Environment and led Save the Children Norway (1982–1991). He chaired a commission to revise Norway’s spatial planning legislation (1999–2003) and leads the Research Group for Natural Resources Law, focusing on Energy Law, Climate Law, and Property Law.

His research emphasizes environmental governance, the Polluter-Pays Principle, and legal frameworks for sustainable development. He teaches national and international environmental law, with notable publications on climate treaties, biodiversity, and European environmental policy. Bugge has advised governments on environmental and development issues, including roles as State Secretary for Development Cooperation and advisor to Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland.

His recent works include Klimarett - internasjonal, europeisk og norsk klimarett mot 2030 (2021) and contributions to analyses of product environmental policies in Europe. He has held leadership roles at the Faculty of Law, including Vice Dean for Research and board positions at Norway’s Research Council.