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The government’s climate emperor said Cumbrian coal mines would never have been approved if his recommendations had been implemented.
Chris Skidmore, a Tory MP and chairman of the government’s Net Zero Review, also expressed doubts about whether the mine will be built.
speak in Start of his reviewsaid that if his recommendations had been implemented, the decision made in December by Community and Level Up Secretary Michael Gove “could not have materialized.”
mines near Whitehaven, Cumbria First new UK coal mine approved in 30 years Used to mine coking coal for steel production.
Critics believe it undermines climate goals and reduces demand for coking coal, while proponents argue the mine creates jobs and reduces the need to import coal. increase.
That approval is now facing legal challenges, Skidmore added:
On Friday, Friends of the Earth filed a legal challenge in the High Court against the government’s decision to grant planning permission.
They called the decision “unthinkable” and their challenge focused on how Gove “addressed evidence related to climate change” presented by the group and others in the planning investigation. said.
Rowan Smith, Lee Day’s attorney representing environmental groups, said: , given that their achievements relied on domestic rather than international offsets.
“Friends of the Earth legal claims have been filed in court.
“We hope that a hearing will be granted so that we can have a full discussion of these issues.”
The West Cumbria mining project was first approved by the local county council in 2020, but required final government approval.
Its approval was suspended in early 2021 ahead of the COP26 climate conference after government climate change advisers said it would increase carbon emissions.
The Climate Change Commission (CCC), which advises the government, said 85% of the coal produced in the mines is exported.
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CCC Chair Lord Deben called the proposal “absolutely indefensible” and said its approval would undermine the UK’s leadership on climate change.
The final decision was sent to Mr. Gove for final approval.
“We are pleased that we now have a UK and European market for coal,” he said.
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