Scottish Court Rules Rosebank Oilfield Development Unlawful, A Win for Climate Activists
A major victory for environmental activists was achieved on Thursday when the Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled the UK's approval of the Rosebank oilfield unlawful. The court found that the government's decision did not adequately consider the carbon emissions resulting from burning the oil and gas produced there. Tessa Khan, from campaign group Uplift, called the ruling a "significant milestone," emphasizing that the Rosebank project cannot proceed without addressing its "enormous climate harm."
The Rosebank oilfield, identified as the UK’s largest untapped oilfield, had received approval under the previous administration in 2023. However, the ruling also affects the adjacent Jackdaw gas field, both of which are now subject to further reviews regarding their environmental impact. Philip Evans of Greenpeace heralded the judgment as a "historic win," underscoring that it signals an end to governmental negligence toward climate consequences of new drilling.
In response, the UK government indicated it would amend its environmental guidance to integrate emissions considerations, although disputes over operational licenses remain. The ruling reinforces calls from trade unions and climate campaigners to shift focus toward renewable energy investments.
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