Despite the deepening climate crisis and the UK’s commitment to net zero emissions, the full climate impacts of proposed new or expanded fossil fuel projects are often not considered when planning permission is sought.
Outrageous
Instead, planning authorities often only consider the climate impacts of the process of extracting fossil fuels from the ground, rather than the emissions produced when gas, oil or coal are eventually (inevitably) burned. However, this is when the vast majority of emissions are produced.
The issue of these “downstream” or “scope 3” emissions not being taken into account in the environmental impact assessment is currently the subject of a Supreme Court appeal.
Sarah Finch is challenging Surrey County Council’s decision to grant planning permission for oil drilling at Horse Hill near Gatwick Airport without considering downstream emissions. The UK government has chosen to engage in the appeal and defend the approval of the project. A decision is expected later this year.
If Ms Finch wins her case, it could have far-reaching consequences for all new fossil fuel development onshore and offshore in the UK.
She said: “The largest impact on the climate from gas, coal and oil production occurs when the fuel is ultimately burned. It is outrageous that this is ignored when deciding whether to allow new and expanded fossil fuel projects.
response
“That is the purpose of my appeal against Horse Hill oil production and I hope the Supreme Court will confirm that no fossil fuel production, whether onshore or offshore, should be allowed without considering its full impact on the climate.”
Another major development that does not take into account the climate impact of burning extracted fossil fuels is the controversial new coal mine planned in Cumbria, which the government approved last year.
The decision faces legal challenges from Friends of the Earth and South Lakes Climate Change Action.The High Court has agreed ‘Roll-up’ hearingsBut the court said it would wait for the outcome of Horse Hill’s legal challenge before setting a date, underscoring the critical importance of Sarah Finch’s challenge.
Friends of the Earth – along with ClientEarth and the Good Law Project – are also taking legal action against the government’s plans to tackle climate change and meet the country’s legally binding carbon emissions targets.
this author
Brendan Montagu is the author of Ecologist. This article is based on a press release from Friends of the Earth.
