Reported in The Ecologist and elsewhere, the Supreme Court has ruled that environmental impact assessments should consider the climate impacts that would inevitably arise new projects, known as ‘Scope 3’ or ‘downstream’ emissions.

The case was brought against Surrey County Council and its decision to grant planning permission for oil drilling at Horse Hill, near Gatwick airport in the Surrey countryside.

It may mean that all those seeking planning permission need to consider scope 3 emissions in applications, including new water-related developments.