June 20th 2024.
The Surrey oil well, which has been a source of controversy for some time, has now had its permission cancelled. This decision, made by the Supreme Court, could have major implications for the future of oil drilling in the UK. It all started with a dispute over the expansion of an oil field in Horse Hill, near Horley in Surrey. The local council had given the green light for the expansion to go ahead, but this decision was challenged by Sarah Finch, a dedicated campaigner representing the Weald Action Group.
Ms. Finch argued that the environmental impact assessment carried out by the council should have taken into account not just the immediate impact of the oil extraction, but also the emissions that would result from burning the oil. This issue has been a major concern for environmental activists, who have been protesting near the site for some time. The Supreme Court has now ruled that these downstream emissions must be taken into consideration when granting planning permission for new drilling sites. This could potentially put a stop to future fossil fuel projects in the country.
According to reports, the six wells at Horse Hill were expected to produce a significant amount of crude oil over the next two decades. However, the burning of this oil would result in over 10 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, according to estimates by Friends of the Earth campaigners. The Supreme Court's ruling has shed light on the importance of considering these emissions in the decision-making process.
The court's decision came after a long legal battle, which saw Ms. Finch initially lose in the High Court before appealing the decision in the Court of Appeal. The council then challenged this appeal, arguing that they were not required to take into account downstream emissions. However, the Supreme Court justices disagreed and ruled in favor of Ms. Finch's appeal, ultimately quashing the council's decision to grant permission for the site.
In his judgment, Lord Leggatt stated that the emissions resulting from burning the extracted oil were, in fact, part of the project's effects and should have been considered by the council. He emphasized that only assessing the direct greenhouse gas emissions within the well site boundary was flawed and did not allow for a proper evaluation of the project's impact on the environment. Lord Leggatt also highlighted the democratic aspect of the environmental impact assessment process, stating that it was essential for the public to be able to debate the potential impact of the project on climate change and global warming.
Ms. Finch's argument that the council had failed to assess the indirect greenhouse gas impacts was initially deemed misguided, but the Supreme Court's ruling has now highlighted the inadequacy of the impact assessment and the need for public debate on the issue. Lord Leggatt stressed that in today's world, it is expected that concerns about climate change and the impact of oil production on the environment will be raised, and it is the council's responsibility to consider these concerns in their decision-making process.
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