👉 WOOHOO – WE DID IT 🎉

Rosebank oil field has been ruled unlawful and its approval has been overturned. This is incredible news and a monumental victory in the fight for a liveable future for all.

We want to say a huge well done to all those involved in making this happen. Every banner holder, leaflet giver, email writer – you should all feel very proud!

You can read the full story on the Guardian website. You might recognise some people in the photo!

What Happened and What Does the decision mean?

The Scottish Court of Session agreed this week that the significant emissions caused by burning Rosebank’s oil should have been taken into account during its previous approval. This means that if the companies behind Rosebank, Equinor and Ithaca, still want to develop the oil field, they would need to resubmit a new application which now accounts for the enormous emissions caused by burning Rosebank’s oil. The court has ruled that no oil and gas can be extracted until they get a new development consent for the field.

The Hon Lord Ericht’s ruling states that “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”.

Why do we want Rosebank to not go ahead?

Experts are clear: we can and must stop new oil and gas developments now to stay within “safe” climate limits. Doing this doesn’t need to come at the expense of the public. Rosebank is not the answer to energy security, lower bills or jobs. It would simply make obscenely rich oil companies even richer, while increasing the dangers for the rest of us.

Moving to a fossil free way of life also doesn’t have to come at the expense of workers and communities that have relied on fossil fuel industries for generations. The way to create long-term secure jobs is to invest in a just transition and support workers to transition into clean energy industries that have a future. What is needed to support oil and gas workers and communities is a coherent and fair plan for the transition that addresses their concerns, and in particular workers’ rights, conditions, pay skills and training.

WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW ?

We need to keep the pressure on to ensure that this leads to the lasting change we need. The UK government has paused approving new fields while it examines how to regulate new drilling via the Oil & Gas consultation. The court’s ruling overturns the previous approval of the field, but Rosebank’s owners, Equinor and Ithaca, could submit a new application to develop Rosebank after the consultation has concluded. That’s why the climate movement is coming together for a No New Oil & Gas MP & MSP Action Week on 3 – 9 March. We need to make sure that every MP and MSP hears from their constituents that for a safe climate and affordable energy, we must stop new oil & gas now.