Rosebank approval 'unlawful': will new UK oil fields still go ahead? 

In a historic decision, a British court has declared that the approval of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil fields was unlawful - but development may still go ahead.

A Scottish court has ruled that the UK government’s approval of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oilfields was unlawful, marking a major victory for climate campaigners. The court found that the original decisions failed to account for the full environmental impact of burning the extracted oil and gas, a significant oversight given the UK’s legally binding climate commitments.

The Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled on Thursday that the government had neglected to include “downstream” emissions—the emissions generated when the oil and gas are burned—in its environmental impact assessment. This omission meant that the approval process for both oilfields was legally flawed.

Campaign groups, including Greenpeace and Uplift, brought the case forward, arguing that new fossil fuel projects directly contradict climate science and international agreements aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Tessa Khan of Uplift described the ruling as a “significant milestone,” stating, “This means that Rosebank cannot go ahead without accounting for its enormous climate harm.”

Philip Evans of Greenpeace called the judgment “a historic win,” emphasizing that the era of governments approving new fossil fuel projects while ignoring their climate impacts is over.

Court questions necessity of Rosebank

The ruling adds further scrutiny to the UK’s North Sea oil and gas policy, as the majority of Rosebank’s oil is expected to be sold on international markets, rather than directly benefiting UK energy security. This undermines claims that the project would help stabilize domestic energy prices.

Trade unions and climate justice organizations have called for increased investment in renewable energy and worker transition programs instead of further fossil fuel expansion. James Alexander, chief executive of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association, stated that renewables represent “the UK’s key growth sector of the future,” urging policymakers to focus on clean energy investments rather than fossil fuel extraction.

Back to square one?

The court’s decision means that the UK government must revisit the approval process for both Rosebank and Jackdaw, factoring in their full climate impact. While the ruling does not outright cancel the projects, it requires the government to reassess them under stricter environmental considerations. This means that Rosebank and Jackdaw cannot proceed with extraction until new approvals are granted.

A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said the government had already consulted on updated environmental guidance that accounts for emissions from burning extracted oil and gas. The government is expected to issue a revised assessment in the spring.

In response to the ruling, Equinor, the Norwegian energy giant behind Rosebank, said it welcomed the decision, which allows it to continue preparatory work on the project while regulatory processes continue. Shell, the operator of the Jackdaw gas field, also supported the decision, calling for swift government action to secure new approvals.

What does this mean for the future of oil and gas in the UK?

Despite industry pushback, climate activists view this ruling as a turning point in the legal and political landscape governing UK fossil fuel projects. Lauren MacDonald from the Stop Rosebank campaign criticized oil companies for prioritizing profit over public interest, arguing that “almost all of Rosebank’s oil would be sold overseas, doing nothing to lower our bills or make us more secure.”

The court’s decision reinforces the increasing legal scrutiny applied to fossil fuel projects, aligning with a broader global trend where climate litigation is shaping energy policy. Whether the UK government will continue to back North Sea oil development or pivot more decisively toward renewable energy remains a key question in the wake of this ruling. However, for now, the ruling means that Rosebank and Jackdaw cannot proceed with drilling or production until a new and legally sound approval process is completed.