Skip to main content
Legal challenge to government's support for North Sea fossil fuel extraction given go-ahead
A view of part of the BP Etap platform (Eastern Trough Area Project) in the North Sea, around 100 miles east of Aberdeen, Scotland, in February 2014

THE High Court has given the go-ahead for a legal challenge to government support for North Sea oil and gas — a case that could spell the end for production that relies on generous public subsidies.

Environmental campaigners are seeking a declaration from the court that the state-owned Oil and Gas Authority’s (OGA) new strategy is unlawful because it encourages uneconomic production and conflicts with Britain’s legal duty to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

A High Court order this week found that claimants had “presented an arguable case … in the public interest” and that the claim has sufficient merit to proceed.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Fossil Free London activists protest outside the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero demanding new Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh scrap the Rosebank oil field [Pic: Fossil Free London]
Climate Crisis / 22 July 2026
22 July 2026
Campaigners take part in a Stop Rosebank protest outside the UK Government building in Edinburgh, September 30, 2023
Climate Crisis / 14 July 2026
14 July 2026
UNITED VOICE REQUIRED: Workers stand up, yesterday, to the management of Volkswagen plant in Zwickau, Germany with slogans: ‘fighting for the future,’ and ‘exclusion,’ ‘job insecurity’ (strips attached to the scythe) / Pic: Jan Woitas/dpa via AP
Climate Crisis / 11 July 2026
11 July 2026

The future does not have to be climate chaos and social breakdown. MARC VANDEPITTE looks at the alternatives offered by the Global Justice Report, co-authored by Thomas Piketty

 

EMPHASIS ON PLAN: Members of the Unite rally at the Scottish Parliament in November last year in protest at Petroineos plans to close Grangemouth oil refinery
Climate Crisis / 20 December 2025
20 December 2025

As fossil fuels have had their day, JOSIE MIZEN makes it clear that it is now the government’s responsibility to initiate the transition to alternative employment in a manner that is organised, efficient and effective