The Grand Chamber of Norway's Supreme Court has invalidated permits for three North Sea oil and gas fields, ruling that the government failed to account for the climate impact of burning the fossil fuels extracted.
The decision deals a severe blow to the Norwegian state and energy giants Equinor and Aker BP, which developed the Breidablikk, Yggdrasil, and Tyrving fields.
Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle, Norway lead in Greenpeace Nordic, said: "This historic ruling changes Norwegian oil policy forever, and sets a precedent the world cannot ignore. Norway can no longer ignore the global damage caused when its oil and gas are burned abroad. Norwegian authorities are now obligated to take into account the enormous climate damage caused by Norwegian oil and gas. This is a momentous victory for global climate justice."
By affirming lower court rulings, the Supreme Court established that environmental assessments must evaluate Scope 3 emissions, the carbon released wherever combustion takes place. The victory is the culmination of a years-long battle for Greenpeace Nordic and Young Friends of the Earth Norway (Natur og Ungdom).
The case was initiated by Greenpeace Nordic and Young Friends of the Earth Norway, who successfully challenged the licenses of the North Sea fields Yggdrasil, Breidablikk and Tyrving in 2024. The decision was appealed by the Norwegian Government in the Borgarting Court of Appeal and later the Norwegian Supreme Court.
A central issue in the case is that the climate impacts of burning the oil and gas produced by new projects were not assessed before the projects were approved. Courts, including the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Court, have confirmed that such assessments are required. As the EFTA Court interprets EU law, this requirement applies across the European Economic Area, not just in Norway.
In October 2025, the European Court of Human Rights confirmed that Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights requires states to assess the climate impacts of emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, including emissions generated outside their borders, before approving projects. This obligation applies to all Council of Europe members, giving the judgment far-reaching implications for fossil fuel approvals across Europe.
Sigrid Hoddevik Losnegård, Head of Natur og Ungdom, said: "This is a huge victory for today's children who are growing up in a world fundamentally altered by climate change. Young people took the state to court, and we won. It proves that our struggle for climate justice has real force. Now, it is up to the politicians to act."
Attorney Jenny Sandvig of the law firm Simonsen Vogt Wiig, who delivered her third child this week and who represents the environmental organisations, said: "The environmental organisations have won a big victory today, it's their victory and it's a privilege to represent them. It's a huge Grand Chamber win today for the organisations, which will have immense existential repercussions for future generations. Today marks a victory for democracy."
