Ocean charity loses high court battle over oil and gas licences

AN ocean conservation charity has lost a High Court challenge against the Government over nearly 30 oil and gas licences granted last year.

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Oceana UK brought legal action against the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), saying they had not properly assessed the impact of climate change and accidental spills when granting the licences.

DESNZ and the NSTA said the licences are only for exploration and that further assessments will be carried out before final consent to extract is given, and that its approach is lawful.

On Friday, Mr Justice Mould dismissed the claim, ruling that the 28 licences for oil and gas exploration are lawful.