In a pivotal court case that could reshape the UK’s energy landscape, climate activists are urging Scotland’s top civil court to revoke licenses for drilling in two major North Sea oil and gas fields. Greenpeace and Uplift argue that the UK government acted unlawfully by failing to consider the climate impact of burning the fossil fuels before granting the permits.
The judicial review, unfolding at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, specifically targets licenses issued to Equinor and Shell for the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields respectively. These untapped reserves hold immense potential, with Rosebank alone estimated to contain nearly 500 million barrels of oil and gas.
A Legal Showdown Over Climate Impact
Lawyers representing the environmental groups contend that by ignoring the tens of millions of tonnes of CO2 that would be emitted when the extracted oil is ultimately used, the government and regulators have violated the law. They point to a recent UK Supreme Court ruling that mandates accounting for downstream emissions before approving drilling licenses.
There can be no doubt this project will produce substantial amounts of oil and gas [with] a substantial impact on the climate, environment, and human health.
– Ruth Crawford KC, representing Greenpeace
The Rosebank field alone could release more CO2 than the annual emissions of the world’s 28 poorest countries combined, the activists claim. They see canceling these licenses as essential to upholding the UK’s climate commitments and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Oil Companies Push Back
Equinor, Ithaca Energy, and Shell subsidiary BG International have already invested heavily in the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects. They maintain that developing these fields is critical for UK energy security, tax revenue, and preserving thousands of jobs in the oil and gas sector.
Even if the court sides with Greenpeace and Uplift, the companies are expected to reapply for drilling permits. This sets the stage for further legal and political battles as the UK grapples with balancing its net-zero ambitions against the economic influence of the North Sea oil and gas industry.
Implications for UK Climate Policy
The case comes at a pivotal juncture, coinciding with the new Labour government unveiling tougher emissions targets and pledging to curtail new oil and gas licensing. Climate activists see this as a crucial test of the government’s resolve.
Every single fossil fuel project we can stop is a degree of warming prevented. It’s countless lives saved, which will always be worth fighting for.
– Lauren MacDonald, Stop Rosebank campaign coordinator
As the court weighs the evidence, the outcome could set a major precedent for fossil fuel development in the UK and beyond. It underscores the intensifying legal battles over climate action as industries, governments, and activists navigate the bumpy path to a low-carbon future.
With global climate talks underway in Azerbaijan and the UK committing to slash emissions 81% by 2035, the North Sea drilling dispute crystallizes the challenging tradeoffs ahead. As activists rally outside the courthouse chanting “We believe we can win,” the stage is set for a landmark ruling on oil, climate, and the speed of the energy transition.
