Oslo, Norway – Today, the Borgarting Court of Appeal agreed with Greenpeace Nordic and Natur og Ungdom (Young Friends of the Earth Norway) that three oil fields in the Norwegian North Sea are illegal.
The case was initiated by Greenpeace Nordic and Natur og Ungdom (Young Friends of the Earth Norway), who successfully challenged the awarding of the oil concessions in 2024, a decision that was appealed by the Norwegian Government.
Frode Pleym, Head of Greenpeace Norway, said: "We are relieved and happy, but not surprised. Looking at recent court decisions on climate, they are not just about the global nature of the crisis but also about what States need to do. The need for governments to protect their citizens from climate harm has now become far too obvious to ignore, and thankfully, judges around the world are realising this."
In January 2024, the Oslo District Court found the approvals of three oil and gas fields in the North Sea invalid due to the lack of impact assessments.[1] The District Court also issued temporary injunctions forbidding the State from granting any new permits necessary to develop and produce from the fields. The Norwegian State appealed both the judgement and the injunctions.[2] Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal requested advice from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Court in Luxembourg on the matter.
In May of this year, the EFTA Court in Luxembourg issued its advisory opinion on the interpretation of the EU Project Directive.[3] The EFTA Court sided with Greenpeace Nordic and Natur og Ungdom on all points. In its recent judgment, the Appeal Court has reaffirmed the EFTA courts' advisory opinion.
In an October 2025 judgement from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), the Court confirmed the obligation of States to assess climate effects from the burning of oil and gas outside of Norway before approval.
Today, the Appeal Court has confirmed both of these rulings.
Sigrid Hoddevik Losnegård, head of Natur og Ungdom, said: "This is a huge victory. Today's children and future generations will reap the benefits of the courage the judges showed today. It proves that our struggle for climate justice has real force, and it is profoundly affirming to see the Court of Appeal stand with us on every single point. Now it's up to the politicians to act accordingly and cease all activity on the fields."
During her testimony, Elvira Gomez Snerte, one of the case witnesses, expressed deep concerns for the future of her family farm, which has been in her family for generations and which she hopes to inherit someday.
"I am very relieved today," said Snerte. "Even though the case "only" concerns three oil fields, we know that emissions from them alone can have major consequences for the climate. They contribute to more extreme weather, which, among other things, threatens my family's farming business. Today's ruling gives me hope and confidence that we are on the right track for the future."
The environmental organisations were represented by Jenny Sandvig at the law firm Simonsen Vogt Wiik.
