UK High Court rejects first new coal mine project in 30 years

On September 13, 2024, news from London. A judge has rejected plans for the UK's first new coal mine in 30 years, a major victory for environmental groups.

The decision by High Court judge David Holgate comes after a June ruling by the UK's Supreme Court. Holgate said the assumption that the proposed coal mine would not result in a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions or be a net-zero coal mine is legally flawed. Friends of the Earth and the local group South Lakes Climate Action challenged the government's approval of plans to develop the mine in a coastal town in Cumbria, northwest England. The developer, West Cumbria Mining, still defended the project in court after the Labour government dropped its support for it.

Neil Tolhu, a lawyer for Friends of the Earth, called it excellent news and a huge victory for the environment and opponents. The coal mine has a huge impact on the climate and is not necessary, and it also damages the UK's international reputation. The ruling sends the decision back to the government for reconsideration. The mining company had promoted the project as a net-zero positive project and now says it will consider the ruling but declined to comment.

The Conservative Party's approval of the plan in 2022 was seen as a step backward by environmentalists, who believe it will make it harder for the UK to achieve clean energy and net-zero carbon emissions targets. The Labour government has also distanced itself from its predecessor's focus on oil and gas exploration. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an increase in wind power generation and promised not to issue new North Sea oil drilling licenses. The coal mine is located on the site of a closed chemical plant in the town of Whitehaven and will mine coking coal. Opponents say that as steel mills transform, this kind of coal is no longer needed domestically.