Dear John,

We’ve won another HUGE victory today. The High Court ruled that approval for a new coal mine in Whitehaven, West Cumbria was unlawful. It’s our fifth big court win this year. It follows, amongst others, our defeat of the government’s unlawful climate plan and a historic ruling against oil drilling in Surrey, to name just 2.

This time, we challenged permission for the coal mine with local campaign group South Lakes Action on Climate Change. Together we argued greenhouse gas emissions from burning the coal should've been considered before it was green-lit. And today the judge agreed.

This shows what’s possible when we work together with local communities. And loyal supporters like you. You’re a vital part of Friends of the Earth – the UK’s largest grassroots environmental network. It’s because you support our campaigns, sign and share our petitions and donate what you can.

But we’re not stopping here. Will you join us and take your support to the next level with a monthly donation?

The court ruling on oil drilling in Surrey blew our Cumbria coal mine case wide open. It set a new bar for new fossil fuel projects. That they must consider the full climate impact of burning fossil fuels, not only the emissions from the process of digging them up.

Then in a dramatic twist, the government decided not to defend the approval of the Cumbria coal mine in court – just days before the hearing in July. Leaving only the mining company to face us in the courtroom.

Today's result is a massive blow to a dying fossil fuel industry. And it’s a monumental win for people and planet. It keeps climate-wrecking coal buried in the ground where it belongs.

But it’s not done and dusted. Deputy PM and new Communities Secretary Angela Rayner must look at the plans – taking the full climate impact into account. She could call for new evidence for and against the mine. Or even open the planning inquiry all over again. And we’ll also watch out for a potential appeal by the mining company.

Whatever happens, we’ll do everything we can to stop the Whitehaven coal mine. We believe we can stop it. And we’ll continue to urge the government to put West Cumbria at the heart of its transition plans. Whitehaven deserves better. It needs long-term green jobs. Not a short-lived, destructive and completely unnecessary coal mine.

That’s why we need your continued support. Our dedicated supporters, community groups, campaigners and legal team make Friends of the Earth impossible to ignore. Be an even bigger part of this unstoppable people power and join us with a monthly donation today.

We hope you’ll celebrate this victory with us today. But we’ve got our eyes fixed on what comes next.

We know that for a fair and liveable planet, fossil fuels must be kept in the ground. Even though we’ve made history again today, there’s still more to do. Together with your help, we’ll keep fossil fuels where they belong and demand green jobs in our communities.

Thanks so much for all your enthusiastic and generous support. We hope this is the end of the road for the Whitehaven coal mine. But if not, we’ll be ready to resist it once again with you by our side.

In triumph,

Niall Toru

Senior Lawyer

Friends of the Earth

Our photo stunt outside the courts before our hearing began in July.