The European Court of Human Rights has ordered Norway to assess the global climate impacts of new oil fields before opening them, citing human rights obligations. The ruling sets a crucial precedent for governments worldwide, requiring them to consider the environmental consequences of fossil fuel development.
In 2015, Greenpeace Nordic and Young Friends of the Earth Norway launched a case arguing that Norway’s Arctic oil policy violates fundamental human rights. Today, the ECtHR has ruled in their favor, establishing new binding legal obligations for governments.
The decision builds on previous international court decisions, including those from the International Court of Justice and the UK Supreme Court, which have highlighted the incompatibility of new oil and gas development with global climate goals.
This ruling sends a strong message to governments that the era of unchecked fossil fuel expansion is over. It emphasizes that climate harm is a matter of human rights, adding another crucial building block to international climate jurisprudence.
Frode Pleym, head of Greenpeace Norway, said: “This decision is a major step forward in recognizing the impact of new oil fields on human rights.” Sigrid Hoddevik Losnegård, head of Young Friends of the Earth Norway, called it a “quantum leap for climate accountability.”
The ruling will have significant implications for Norway’s future energy policies and its commitment to combating climate change.
Source: https://www.greenpeace.org/international/press-release/79332/european-human-rights-court-sets-climate-limits-for-the-oil-industry