UK Government facing High Court legal battle over North Sea oil and gas drilling plans
Climate campaigners say the move, which could see up to 130 new licences for fossil fuel extraction handed out, is “reckless” and does not quantify the resulting damage to the planet.
The judicial review hearing comes as ministers continue to consider whether to give the go-ahead for development of the massive and highly controversial Rosebank field, off Shetland – the UK’s largest known untapped oil and gas reserve, containing up to 500 million barrels.
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Hide AdThe case comes as many places across the world have been experiencing unprecedented heatwaves, which experts have attributed to climate change.
This year has also brought further stark warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and United Nations secretary general, reiterating fossil fuel development must end if the world is to have any hope of restricting warming to the 1.5C set out in the Paris Agreement.
Environmental charities Greenpeace and Uplift contend Westminster has failed to properly assess the climate impact of the new oil and gas licences and to look at reasonable alternatives. They claim government’s tests do not consider emissions created from burning fossil fuels, which would amount to more than 80 per cent of the total generated.
And compatibility with UK climate objectives was not demonstrated, they say.
Campaigners argue the Government has “botched” the decision by failing to follow Strategic Environmental Assessments rules for plans that will affect the environment, and has unlawfully failed to design its Climate Change Checkpoint to take into account the impacts of burning the oil and gas.
“How can this Government even think about pressing ahead with new drilling when we can all now see what the burning of fossil fuels is doing to our climate?” said climate lawyer Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift.
“It’s difficult to imagine today’s extreme heat around the world getting worse, but it will if we don't get off oil and gas. The grounds for challenging these new licenses is clear, but we shouldn’t have to take the Government to court.
“There is no public benefit from new licensing. Most of the UK’s gas is gone and the majority of the oil that's left will be exported.
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Hide Ad“This Government’s pandering to the oil and gas lobby is holding back the massive expansion in cheaper renewables that we need to ensure the UK has a secure supply of affordable energy that doesn’t mess with our climate.”
Climate campaigner Philip Evans, from Greenpeace UK, added: “We’re in the High Court today to hold the Government to account on their reckless decision to approve new oil and gas without properly checking the damage it will do to the climate. It’s a scandal and, in fact, it's unlawful.
“As parts of the world are gripped by deadly heatwaves and wildfires fuelled by the climate crisis, the Government is gladly waving through further climate destruction.”
A recent report from independent advisers at the Climate Change Committee concluded a lack of progress means the UK is no longer a world leader on climate action and increasing fossil fuel production is not in line with the 2050 net zero target.