Key oil project must count full climate impact - court

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🗞️ Driving the news: The UK Supreme Court ruled that Surrey County Council should have considered the full climate impact, including downstream emissions, of burning oil from new wells in a landmark decision affecting future oil and gas projects

🔭 The context: Traditionally, planning laws considered only the emissions from constructing wells, not the use of the final oil products
• This case, brought by Sarah Finch and campaigners against the Horse Hill oil well, challenges that assumption

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This ruling sets a precedent that could significantly impact new fossil fuel projects, ensuring that their full environmental impact, including emissions from oil use, is considered, which is crucial for meeting climate targets

⏭️ What's next: Companies will need to account for downstream emissions in future project plans
• This ruling may influence ongoing legal challenges to other projects, such as the Rosebank oil field and the proposed coal mine in Cumbria

💬 One quote: “I am absolutely over the moon to have won this important case," said Sarah Finch, representing Weald Action Group

📈 One stat: The six wells at Horse Hill are expected to produce 3.3 million tonnes of crude oil over 20 years, which would generate over 10 million tonnes of CO2 when burned

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