The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has characterised the Arctic oil case as a potential “impact case”, and has therefore requested that the Norwegian Government responds to the People vs. Arctic Oil application.

Six young climate activists, along with organisations Young Friends of the Earth Norway and Greenpeace Nordic, filed this application with the Court in June. The climate activists argue that, in continuing to hand out new oil drilling licenses in the Arctic, the Norwegian state violates their fundamental human rights by enabling activity that will increase greenhouse gas emissions precisely when urgent worldwide decarbonisation is essential to protect their lives and livelihoods.

On 15 June 2021, Greenpeace Nordic and Young Friends of the Earth, along with six young climate activist filed an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

The applicants claim that the decision to issue licences for oil and gas extraction in the Norwegian Arctic violates their fundamental human rights and increases the risk of harm due to climate change.

The individual applicants include six young activists: Ingrid Skjoldvær, Gaute Eiterjord, Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen, Mia Cathryn Chamberlain, Lasse Bjørn, and Gina Gylver.

Background materials of action taken between 2016-2020 against the Norwegian governments continuing licensing of new oil fields in the Norwegian Arctic.