THE British government was in court today as Greenpeace challenged the decision to grant BP a permit to drill for 30 million barrels of oil without taking climate impacts into account. 

In a landmark case just two months before global climate talks in Glasgow, Greenpeace called for the government’s decision on the Vorlich North Sea oil field to be overturned, and for BP’s permit to be revoked.

The case is the first time an offshore oil permit has been challenged in court and could have ramifications for future oil permit decisions, including proposals for the controversial Cambo site off Shetland. 

The licence for the Vorlich field was granted in 1981, when no obligations or legislation existed to regulate climate impacts. 

Greenpeace argued that having now granted BP’s drilling permit, the government failed in its legal duty to regulate environmental impacts.

At present, the government disregards the emissions resulting from burning oil, which at Vorlich will be the equivalent of over three coal plants running for one year. 

Mel Evans, head of oil and gas transition at Greenpeace UK, said: “We are two months away from hosting global climate talks, and we’re at code red for humanity. BP’s permit must be revoked, and Cambo must be stopped. 

“By setting a clear path to phase down oil and gas, the UK government must then properly support workers and communities through the energy transition.”

During the case, Ruth Crawford QC, representing Greenpeace, said that the organisation was deprived of the opportunity to comment on the application, and of a “clear, timely process for challenging the decisions.”

The two-day case is expected to continue in Edinburgh on Thursday. 

A British government spokeswoman said it cannot comment on ongoing legal proceedings, but added it cannot abandon oil and gas production overnight. 

The case comes as Westminster was warned by campaigners that it is lawfully bound to take responsibility for the decision on the Cambo oil field — contrary to claims that it “cannot intervene.”

Friends of the Earth (FoE) Scotland is threatening to seek a judicial review into alleged “legal errors” by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng over Cambo.

Dr Richard Dixon, FoE Scotland director said: “The government does have the power to stop Cambo and it must use that power instead of trying to wash its hands of this dirty development.”