A judge has ruled in favor of Greenpeace, blocking the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas projects due to environmental concerns and unlawful consent processes.
Edinburgh: A judge has backed Greenpeace’s legal challenge against two oil and gas fields. This decision blocks the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects in the North Sea.
Greenpeace and Uplift argued that the UK Government acted unlawfully. They claimed the environmental assessments ignored the impact of burning the fuels.
The UK government had approved these projects, with Shell’s Jackdaw field getting the green light in 2022. The Rosebank field was cleared in September 2023.
In his ruling, Lord Ericht stated the consent was unlawful. He ordered that the decision be reconsidered, taking into account the climate impact.
He emphasized the importance of lawful decisions, especially regarding climate change. The judge noted that fossil fuel burning affects climate and people’s lives.
He also mentioned that no oil or gas should be extracted until a new decision is made. This gives companies options while they wait.
Greenpeace’s Philip Evans called this a historic win. He said it marks the end of ignoring climate impacts in drilling approvals.
Tessa Khan from Uplift highlighted that Rosebank cannot proceed without considering its climate harm. She pointed out the link between fossil fuels and extreme weather events.
A Shell spokesperson urged the government to act quickly. They stressed the importance of the Jackdaw project for UK energy needs.
Equinor also welcomed the ruling, stating it allows them to continue with the Rosebank project while awaiting new consents.
The government plans to revise environmental guidance to include emissions from burning oil and gas. They aim to support industry while meeting climate obligations.
