UK court halts oil production at two North Sea sites
A Scottish court blocked Shell and Equinor from producing oil and gas at two North Sea sites until the British government assesses their climate impact, delaying key projects in the region.
Stanley Reed reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- A Scottish judge ruled that Shell and Equinor cannot produce oil and gas at the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields until the government develops new climate assessment criteria.
- The decision follows a UK Supreme Court ruling requiring oil and gas project reviews to include the impact of burning fossil fuels on climate change.
- Shell and Equinor have already invested billions in the projects, arguing they are crucial for UK energy security and economic growth.
Key quote:
“The public interest in authorities acting lawfully and the private interest of members of the public in climate change outweigh the private interest of the developers.”
— Judge Andrew Stewart
Why this matters:
The ruling sets a precedent for stricter climate assessments of fossil fuel projects in the UK, and is part of a broader trend where courts are increasingly holding governments and corporations accountable for their climate pledges. With the UK aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, legal challenges are emerging as a powerful tool for activists and environmental groups seeking to ensure that new fossil fuel developments don’t undermine those targets.
Read more: Britain balancing oil decline and clean energy goals
