Climate Action for Associations reposted this
The Government this evening told the High Court that approval for a new coal mine in Cumbria should be quashed. Both this case and a similar decision by the Supreme Court last month cited IEMA guidance on greenhouse gas emissions. In June, Surrey County Council were told by the Supreme Court that they should have considered the full climate impact when issuing a new oil extraction licence in the county - not just local environmental impacts. IEMA deputy CEO Martin Baxter described the Supreme Court ruling in June as "massive" and it seems that decision may already be having implications. Martin says: “Not only is common sense finally prevailing in both the Cumbria Coal Mine and Surrey Oil Well cases .. but more importantly, we as a nation are finally making energy decisions based on evidence and scientific rigour. “Both of these cases used IEMA Guidance on Assessing Greenhouse Gas Emissions to carry out Environment Impact Assessments, but ultimately the evidence was disregarded. "Last month the Supreme Court rightly judged that it was 'inevitable' that oil extracted from the Surrey site will be burned and greenhouse gases released, while back in 2022 the Planning Inspectors report on the Cumbria Coal Mine said ‘substantial carbon emissions will arise from the end use of the extracted coal ... and that the release of these emissions at this scale and intensity are likely to be significant’. "IEMA has been consistent in its view that this should be a material consideration in the decision on whether to grant approval." More on the Landmark climate ruling from June: https://bit.ly/3Xv2VoI
Cait Hewitt
1mo
Hi. Can anyone point me to the Government's statement on this? I'm keen to understand the legal grounds.
Mike Spence
1mo
Friends of the Earth put a lot of energy and effort into opposing this at Public Inquiry. It was of international interest due to COP26 in Glasgow. The ruling was delayed, and delayed, and delayed, until Michael Gove eventually pushed it thru. This was a major blow to everyone concerned in opposing the project, and it is finally clear another indictment of appalling politics and decision making, irrespective of the environmental consequences, at a national level in the UK.
With the recently announced UK investment in electric arc furnaces for steel production, and the UKs last coal fired power station due to close on 30th September, the case for coking coal has started to look far far more tenuous.
Johan Opperman
1mo
Well done! It is about high time that energy decisions be based on very transparent criteria that include climate change impact, in addition to cost, speed of operationalization, contribution to the opportunities associated with clean energy value chains etc.
John Sinclair
1mo
These decisions are for my daughter and her Generation. Its about time my Generation took up its responsibility for her and all of her fellow young people ...
Ian Mumford
1mo
Common sense prevails at last.
Environmental Scientist, owner of Gibson Consulting and Training
1moSome fifteen years ago carrying out an HIA for a surface coal mine I included the impact of climate change from the potential use of that coal. I was heavily criticised for that from various quarters. Really glad to see that IEMA is able to use its influence to push sensible decision making to the fore.