I was just skimming over the judgement

"The developer argued that, as regards the impact of the project on climate, the scope of the [Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)] […] need not include an assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions that would occur when the oil extracted from the wells was ultimately burnt elsewhere as fuel. The council accepted this approach [and granted planning permission]

The claimant, a local resident, applied for judicial review of the council’s decision. She argued that the decision was unlawful because the EIA was required to, but did not, include an assessment of the combustion emissions."

Props to the person who challenged the local council’s decision. No doubt she had a lot of support to do so, especially as this case travelled through the courts (even if she started the challenge without help, I would imagine legal support from climate activism organisations chipped in later), but it’s still a lot of work and stress to see something like this through. I wonder if she anticipated how far this would go, that this is now case law that is relevant in the global fight for climate action. I hope she and everyone else who worked for this feels proud of this achievement.

Holding corporations and the government to account on existing regulations may not feel significant given how much more is necessary in the face of the climate crisis, but that’s all the more reason why it’s important that we fight to maintain the ground we’ve gained. This is a small step, but I am feeling quite heartened to learn of this.

I resolve to keep an eye out for opportunities to challenge decisions like this in my area, because as this case has shown, when it comes to climate action (and inaction), decisions made at the local level ripple out and affect far more. I may not have the fortitude to see a complaint through to its end without forsaking my duty to take care of my own wellbeing, but I will aim to also look out for local climate action groups who can support people like me as we collectively push forwards (or, where I may be able to support people who are better poised to bring a legal challenge).