Friends of the Earth advances its legal challenge against UK government financing for a Mozambique gas project.
- The decision involves $1.15 billion of financing approved despite climate concerns, prompting a Supreme Court appeal.
- The Court of Appeal previously ruled it was the government’s role, not judges, to align projects with the Paris Agreement.
- Displacement due to conflicts in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado region has paused the project since 2021.
- Critics include TotalEnergies’ approach amidst record profits, creating new security and financial concerns.
Friends of the Earth has taken a determined step forward in its legal battle, challenging the UK government’s decision to allocate $1.15 billion towards a substantial gas project in Mozambique. This legal manoeuvre comes in the form of an appeal to the Supreme Court, succeeding the Court of Appeal’s dismissal of their case in January. The previous ruling articulated that the responsibility of aligning such projects with global climate commitments, as proposed in the Paris Agreement, lies within ministerial discretion rather than judicial oversight.
This decision to finance the Mozambique gas project has sparked significant controversy, particularly in light of its climate implications. The funding was approved despite a climate assessment deemed inadequate by many, which failed to consider the full scope of emissions produced by the project. Concerns have been voiced regarding the potential breach of the UK’s climate obligations, with Friends of the Earth strongly condemning the decision as unlawful.
The project’s pause, effective from 2021, was primarily due to conflict and instability in the Cabo Delgado region, a direct consequence of the region’s newfound gas wealth. The unrest has resulted in over a million people being displaced, along with the loss of lands and livelihoods for local farming and fishing communities. This ongoing instability raises further questions about the project’s viability, both from a security and ethical standpoint.
The gas project has drawn attention not only for its environmental repercussions but also due to the robust profits reported by TotalEnergies, the company spearheading the initiative. The firm has been scrutinized for its financial gains amidst a global energy crisis, adding layers of complexity to the ethical and financial discourse surrounding this venture. Recent site visits by TotalEnergies’ CEO, Patrick Pouyanne, have prompted speculation regarding a potential restart, amplifying concerns over the project’s future trajectory.
Legal representatives for Friends of the Earth, including Niall Toru, have been vocal in their criticism of the Court of Appeal’s judgment, warning of its dangerous precedent. They argue this ruling essentially permits government officials to disregard scientific evidence in making decisions about fossil fuel projects, thus undermining the UK’s climate commitments. Solicitor Rowan Smith cautions that without overturning this decision, the integrity of the Paris Agreement’s objectives could be significantly undermined.
The Supreme Court’s forthcoming decision will be pivotal in determining whether climate commitments hold substantive weight in UK government policy-making.
