Fossil Fuel Projects Now Have Stricter Rules

A landmark ruling by the European Court of Human Rights has set stricter standards for approving future oil and gas projects, requiring comprehensive climate impact assessments to be conducted before drilling commences.

“This judgment sets a powerful precedent: governments cannot approve projects causing irreversible climate harm without judicial scrutiny,” said Sébastien Duyck from the Centre for International Environmental Law.

The case, brought by Greenpeace Nordic and others against Norway, concluded that while Norway did not violate human rights, it must now assess global emissions, including those from burning exported fuels, before authorising new drilling in the Barents Sea. The decision strengthens the legal grounds for citizens and NGOs to challenge the expansion of fossil fuels across Europe and beyond, aligning human rights law more closely with climate accountability.