Plans for the creation of England’s largest unused oil field have been thwarted in a major climate court case.
A Scottish court ruled that the previous Conservative government acted “illegally” Green-Light offshore Rose Bank Oilfield And small jakta gas project.
Evaluating the climate damage of the projects has failed to acknowledge the impact of burning oil and gas, rather than getting out of the ground.
This case is a victory for climate propagandists – the latest in fossil fuel projects over the stimulated domino effect A “Transfer of Game” in June.
But the projects may still improve.
The new Labor Administration was elected at the decree of cope with last July Climatic changeThe court said that now the full weather impact of the so -called “subordinate” emission should be taken and a new decision should be taken.
Although the blocks in Rose Bank and Jakta, the oil and gas still offer two -thirds of the UK’s energy UK does not dramatically reduce imports. Dr. Ivan Gibbs, a historian of the University of Glasgow, said that this would make them a future decision on “politics”.
Since these projects are already licenses, the Labor Party can sign them when they are sticking to the election promise to “no new licenses” for the North Sea projects, but the final government approval is required.
Campaigners celebrate ‘historical success’
Philip Evans, senior propaganda of Greenbees, who brought the Jakta case, said: “This is a historic victory – the age of governments ended by ignoring their climate implications of new piercing sites.”
Campaign Groups raised by Greenbees and arguing by last year’s development by A. Landmark judgment From the High Court in June, it is no longer able to avoid the judgment of these types of emissions.
Greenbees called this “change the game.”
Since then, other projects West Kumbriya coal tunnel toppled On the same basis, the new government said it was Such plans will no longer be preserved In court.
When A hearing in NovemberDevelopers of the sites – shell, Ecuinor and Theka Energy – claimed that the previous consent was actually acknowledging that it was illegal.
But they argued that the projects were allowed to continue anyway because they were in advanced stages, and the goal posts were moved.
Why fossil fuel companies are also happy
Today, Lord Eric, a session of Scotland, thwarted approval.
“The public interest on the authorities is legally and the private interest in the climate change is greater than the personal interest of the developers,” he said.
“The results will be [quashed]Let’s take more, taking into account the subordinate emission at this time. “
In the meantime, companies are allowed to continue to create their sites, but not extraction of oil and gas.
A spokesman for Raspank’s chief developer Ecuinery said: “We welcome today’s verdict and allow the Rose Bank to continue improvement while we are waiting for new approval.
“Rosbankon is important to the economic growth of the UK, is estimated that 77% of the total direct investment will benefit the UK businesses.”
There are about 300 million barrels of oil in Rosbeng, most of which will be exported. Small gas from Jakta is destined for UK use, but it is not expected to make a dent on home bills.
The spokesman for the government’s Energy Department said that the renewed guidelines on environmental estimates are in the spring and that companies can apply for permits under those regulations.
They added: “Our priority is to provide a reasonable, regular and rich change in the North Sea in accordance with our climate and legal obligations, which pays towards the future of energy protection, low bills and good, long -term jobs.”
A spokesman for Jakta Developer Shelle said: “We and other North Sea operators can make decisions on major UK energy infrastructure.”
