A Scots judge has ruled the approval of the Rosebank oil field unlawful, blocking drilling plans and marking a win for environmental campaigners.
Edinburgh: A Scots judge has declared the approval of the Rosebank oil field unlawful. This decision blocks drilling plans for the controversial project off Shetland. Environmental groups have long opposed new fossil fuel projects in the North Sea, and this ruling is a significant win for them.
The Court of Session upheld a legal challenge from green campaigners. They argued that the UK government didn’t consider the emissions from burning fossil fuels at the proposed sites. Activists from Greenpeace and Uplift claimed the decisions made by the previous government were unlawful.
In 2022, Rishi Sunak’s government approved Shell’s Jackdaw gas field. In September 2023, they also cleared plans for the Rosebank field. However, Lord Ericht ruled that the consent for these projects should be reconsidered due to legal issues.
If developers want to move forward, they must restart the approval process. This includes creating new environmental impact assessments. Lord Ericht stated that no oil or gas should be extracted until a new decision is made.
Campaigners celebrated the ruling. Philip Evans from Greenpeace UK called it a historic win. He emphasized that governments can no longer ignore climate impacts when approving drilling sites.
Tessa Khan from Uplift also praised the decision. She noted that the ruling means Rosebank cannot proceed without addressing its climate harm. She highlighted the connection between fossil fuel use and extreme weather events.
Despite the ruling, developers plan to continue their efforts. Equinor, the lead partner on the Rosebank project, expressed satisfaction with the ruling. They believe it allows them to progress while awaiting new consents.
Equinor claims Rosebank is vital for the UK’s economic growth. They have already invested over £2.2 billion in the project, creating jobs and contracts across the supply chain.
Shell also emphasized their investment in the Jackdaw project, stating it would provide energy for millions of homes. They urged the government to act quickly to ensure energy infrastructure decisions can be made.
Lord Ericht’s opinion highlighted the importance of lawful decision-making. He stated that public interest in climate change outweighs the developers’ private interests. The ruling requires a lawful basis for any future decisions regarding these projects.
