Campaign groups are calling for continued support as they prepare for a legal challenge against plans for a new coal mine off the coast of West Cumbria.
West Cumbria Mining wants to create the undersea mine off Whitehaven.
It was given the green light in 2022 by Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, following a public inquiry in 2021.
South Lakes Action on Climate Change and Friends of the Earth said Mr Gove’s decision was not lawful and their challenge will be heard at London’s High Court from July 16 to July 18.
The campaigners believe the Government’s backing for West Cumbria Mining claims that the potential new mine would be ‘climate neutral’ are convoluted and irrational, and the decision ignored its repercussions on national and international efforts to tackle climate change.
Maggie Mason, of SLACC, said: “Michael Gove’s approval for the Whitehaven coal mine has already undermined Britain’s climate action, and bolstered the ‘go-slow’ approach to action on fossil fuels at the COPs.
“He supported the pernicious myth of a climate neutral coal mine, whereas the truth is that increasing the supply of fossil fuels prolongs the use of old technologies, increases overall carbon emissions and causes life threatening changes to global climate.
Last Saturday, campaigners from Coal Action Network joined with local residents, other Cumbrian sustainability groups and Whitehaven & Workington Parliamentary candidates Liberal Democrat Chris Wills, and the Green Party’s Jill Perry, to show their continued support for the campaign and demonstrate against the opening of the mine.
