Greta Thunberg supports Scottish climate activists in court battle over UK oil and gas strategy

Three climate activists, who launched a legal challenge against the UK government over its continued support for fossil fuel production in the North Sea, have received backing from Greta Thunberg.

The trio, which include an Edinburgh medical student, an SNP activist from Aberdeen, and a former oil refinery worker from Kent, applied for a judicial review of the Oil and Gas Authority’s strategy to “maximise the economic recovery” of the country’s reserves of hydrocarbons.

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Represented by prominent legal firm Leigh Day, the activists argue this strategy is unlawful because it seeks to redefine the meaning of maximising economic recovery to exclude consideration of the tax breaks given to the industry. They also say the strategy is “irrational” in light of the UK’s legally binding 2050 net zero emissions target.

The Paid to Pollute campaign received a huge boost after Greta Thunberg retweeted a promotional video posted by Mikaela Loach, one-third of the campaigning trio and a fourth-year medical student at Edinburgh University.

The 23-year-old activist uploaded the video to her personal Twitter and Instagram on May 12 and was shared by Greta Thunberg the same day.

The video has since attracted over one million views and shares and has brought extensive public attention to the court case.

Source: Evening News