The UK government has approved the development of the country’s first new deep coal mine in decades, drawing criticism from opponents concern about climate targets.
According to Reuters, “the Woodhouse Colliery is to be developed by West Cumbria Mining and will seek to extract coking coal, used in the steel industry rather than for electricity generation. It is expected to create around 500 jobs.”
With regarding to the opposition faced, Reuters has outlined that, since it was first proposed in 2014, the project has come under criticism from the UK government’s own independent climate advisory panel, in addition to opposition parties, climate activists, and organisations (including Greta Thunberg and Greenpeace).
With the approval coming just over a year after the UK hosted the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, many are suggesting that the move significantly undermines the UK’s position as a global leader in the fight against climate change.
Despite government assurances that “the mine seeks to be net zero in its operations and is expected to contribute to local employment and the wider economy”, opposition is not expected to abate quickly.
Indeed, BBC reporting has described the situation as “an almighty row only just beginning.”
