Court Ruling Halts UK Approval of Major Shell, Equinor Oil and Gas Projects Over Lack of Climate Considerations

A Scottish court has quashed the UK’s Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) approvals for major Shell and Equinor oil and gas projects in the North Sea, citing the government’s failure to consider the climate impact of fuels produced from these projects. While work on the projects can continue, extraction is prohibited until the approvals are reassessed with a focus on downstream emissions. Environmental organizations Greenpeace and Uplift challenged the approvals, arguing that Environmental Impact Assessments overlooked the combustion effects of the oil and gas. Shell expressed concern over the project’s future, having invested over £800 million, while Equinor highlighted its commitment of £2.2 billion to the Rosebank project, which could create up to 2,000 UK jobs. The ruling emphasizes public interest in lawful actions regarding climate change over developers’ interests, marking a significant victory for environmental advocates. Resources: https://www.esgtoday.com/court-ruling-halts-uk-approval-of-major-shell-equinor-oil-and-gas-projects-over-lack-of-climate-considerations/