The environmental NGO Friends of the Earth has filed a complaint against the British government’s decision to allow the development of a new coal mine in the North West of England, as the country has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The appeal was filed “late Friday,” a news release said Monday.
“Planning to open a new coal mine in the midst of a climate emergency is unconscionable. Our challenge is against the Secretary of State’s review of climate change-related evidence presented by Friends of the Earth and others during the preliminary inquiry” to the green light. given to the project, explains the press release.
Instead of the promised jobs if the mine is excavated, the association argues that “hundreds of jobs could be created in the region if a (building) insulation program is launched to reduce energy bills and emissions.” contaminants”.
A project validated by the British government
Another association, South Lakes Action on Climate Change, announced in a separate press release that it had filed its own appeal against the mining project on Friday.
Last month the British government gave its approval to this controversial underground metallurgical coal mine project in England, the first of its kind in 30 years in the country.
This underground mine project in the county of Cumbria (North West England) was first approved by the government in early 2021, sparking a wave of outrage from NGOs in the country. Local Cumbria county authorities then decided to re-examine it, before the executive regained control by announcing a public inquiry.
The aim of the mine is to extract around 2.7m tonnes a year, creating 500 jobs, to supply steel mills in the UK and Europe.
Boris Johnson “is not in favor” of the project
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at the end of 2021 “not to be in favor” of this project, but added that the initiative to bury this project did not belong to him, trusting local planning authorities.
A town planning inspector finally ruled in favor of the project after public consultation.
Faced with the energy crisis in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the British government unveiled a new energy strategy earlier this year that emphasizes nuclear, renewable, but also offshore fossil fuels in the North, in the name of energy security.
The British government has also asked three power companies to keep coal-fired power stations open this winter. But the executive assures that his objective of completely dispensing with this fuel in the production of electricity by 2024 remains intact.
Source: BFM TV
