A California Superior Court denied motions by the California Geological Energy Management Division (CalGEM) and the oil and gas industry groups for judgment on the pleadings in a case brought by Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) alleging that CalGEM engaged in a pattern and practice of approving oil and gas permits without reviewing their impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The court said CBD could pursue relief in an action for declaratory relief, that the complaint adequately alleged that CalGEM “has a consistent pattern or practice that might be unlawful,” and that the complaint would not circumvent CEQA requirements.

Lawsuit asserting that the Geologic Energy Management Division of the California Department of Conservation issued permits for oil and gas drilling and other oil and gas activities without complying with the California Environmental Quality Act.

Center for Biological Diversity v. California Geological Energy Management Division

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California Court Allowed Environmental Group to Proceed with Claims that CalGEM Evaded CEQA When Approving Oil and Gas Permits

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Justice is the ethical and political framework that addresses fairness, including issues of responsibility, rights, and structural inequity.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

Financial support to help individuals manage the effects of unexpected events, securing their livelihoods and increasing the resilience of people and businesses to the changing climate. It’s especially vital in developing regions where everyday risks, climate-related weather extremes, or crop failures can push people into poverty. Without insurance, people may have to resort to selling assets or cutting consumption to cope with losses.

Actions to reduce emissions in energy generation and supply.

Heat extracted from the ground, usually in the form of hot water or steam and typically referred to as hydrothermal fluid.

Oil is a combustible liquid fossil fuel composed mainly of hydrocarbons, occurring as crude oil and refined into petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and kerosene.

Fossil gas, commonly known as natural gas, is a fossil fuel consisting chiefly of methane with smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and trace gases, found in underground deposits.

Activities of industries that extract natural resources, such as mining, oil, and gas, for commercial use.

Activities that involve planning, designing and building infrastructure, residential, and commercial structures.

This sector includes firms and individuals offering specialised expertise in fields such as law, accounting, consulting, science and engineering.

Geohazards are adverse geological phenomenon's that are capable of causing widespread damage or loss to property, life and the environment, such as earthquakes, volcano eruptions and tsunamis. Climate change can increase the frequency and severity of some geohazards, such as landslides, and soil erosion.

California Court Allowed Environmental Group to Proceed with Claims that CalGEM Evaded CEQA When Approving Oil and Gas Permits

Policy instrument

Risk

Renewable energy

Fossil fuel

Economic sector