UK Court Rejects New Coal Mine Plans, Citing Climate Concerns

Judge David Holgate's decision to reject the UK's first new coal mine in 30 years is a win for climate groups. The ruling follows a previous court's mandate to consider emissions from fossil fuel projects. The proposed mine in Cumbria was challenged due to its potential climate impact.

In a significant win for environmental advocates, a judge on Friday rejected the United Kingdom's first new coal mine proposal in three decades. The decision, delivered by High Court Justice David Holgate, aligns with climate group arguments that the mine would not achieve its promised zero impact on global emissions.

The ruling comes after a June directive from the UK Supreme Court requiring planners to incorporate greenhouse gas emissions from burning extracted resources when reviewing permits. "The assumption that the proposed mine would not produce a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions, or would be a net-zero mine, is legally flawed,'' Holgate declared.

Prominent environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth and South Lakes Action on Climate Change, spearheaded the legal challenge against the development in Cumbria. The decision now returns to the government for reconsideration, placing further scrutiny on the future of fossil fuel projects in Britain.

(With inputs from agencies.)