Rosebank Oil Field Emissions Reveal Major Climate Impact Following Legal Challenge
The controversial Rosebank oil field development faces renewed scrutiny after revised estimates show it would contribute 249 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over 25 years. Environmental groups argue the project contradicts UK climate commitments as the government faces pressure over fossil fuel dependence.
Legal Ruling Forces Full Climate Impact Assessment
Until recently, fossil fuel projects in the UK were only required to consider environmental impacts from extraction activities, according to legal reports. However, a Supreme Court ruling in June 2023 fundamentally changed assessment requirements after a Surrey resident challenged her local gas project development. The court determined that authorities must account for emissions from both extraction and end-use of the fuels, sources indicate.
