Environmental charity Oceana argues that 31 licences were unlawfully granted in May 2024 since they failed to consider the impact on marine life of accidental oil spills, and failed to consider the full climate impact of the licensed activity, including indirect (Scope 3) emissions.
It began the legal action in June, before the general election, and wrote to Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero Ed Miliband in August asking the government to concede the case.
However, the government defends the licences. The High Court this week granted Oceana permission to proceed, and the hearing will take place early next year.
Rowan Smith, senior associate at Leigh Day, representing Oceana, said his client has been frustrated ‘by the lack of consideration given to expert bodies advising against the drilling’.
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