Comedian Frankie Boyle is taking to the stage in Edinburgh – but this time he won’t be cracking jokes.
The Scot is rallying against the Rosebank oil field, set to be developed 80 miles off the coast of the Shetland Islands.
Mr Boyle is among a raft of famous faces supporting a legal challenge against the planning permission for the controversial project, including fellow comedian Jo Lycett, Outlander’s Catriona Balfe, Harry Potter actress Bonnie Wright and indie band Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson.
In addition, prominent climate leaders and social activists including architect of the Paris Climate Agreement Christiana Figueres, and author Naomi Klein are rallying behind the cause.
They have teamed up with Uplift, a climate organisation advocating for a “rapid and fair transition” away from oil and gas production in the UK.
The Scottish Court of Session will hear the case from November 12 while world leaders gather for COP29 in Azerbaijan.
On the eve of the hearing, Boyle will host a panel discussion in Edinburgh – named ‘Big Oil in Court; Rosebank and the fight for the North Sea’ – where guests will discuss the future of the project.
In an open letter, Boyle says: “Soon the earth will be so utterly destroyed that the only thing left will be Simon Cowell’s face, drifting through space like a chip wrapper.
“Campaigners have since been driven to the courts in order to stop the field from going ahead. I look forward to hosting a discussion on this ahead of the court hearing later this month.”
The controversial Rosebank oilfield
The former Conservative-led UK Government approved the project, which is more than twice the size of the Cambo oil field and holds around 500 million barrels of oil.
Industry heavy weights like Sir Ian Wood hailed the government approval as a boost for the economy and Britain’s energy security.
He said: “It will make a significant contribution toward achieving greater economic and energy security for Scotland and the UK.”
Objectors claim the field will emit “more CO2 than the world’s 28 lowest-income countries combined do in a year”.
Uplift and Greenpeace initiated a legal challenge last year against the development of the oil field, arguing that it conflicts with the UK’s legally binding carbon budgets and 2050 net-zero target.
The Scottish Court of Session granted permission for the judicial review of the planning permission to proceed. Once the case is heard, a decision should be made within three months.
Energy company say Rosebank field is ‘vital’ for the UK
A spokesperson for Equinor said: “Equinor welcomed regulatory approvals for the Rosebank development in 2023 and will continue to work closely with all relevant parties to progress the project.
“It is vital for the UK and will bring benefits in terms of local investment, jobs and energy security.
“Equinor is particularly committed to supporting the UK supply chain. About 77% of the total direct investment in Rosebank, amounting to £6.6bn, will go to UK businesses.
“Rosebank is also expected to boost the UK’s wider economy by about £25bn and create 2,000 UK jobs during its development phase.”
Ithaca Energy have been asked to comment.
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