The UK government disclosed plans to grant “hundreds” of additional oil and gas licences in the North Sea, arguing that this will help to secure the nation’s energy reserves while keeping the 2050 goal of net zero carbon emissions in sight.
This decision has sparked a backlash from environmentalists and ignited debate within the incumbent Conservative party about eco-friendly policies.
Contrastingly, the Labour Party, the primary opposition, declared that it will refrain from authorising new North Sea drilling licences if it is elected in the upcoming general election next year.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office stated that the continued investment in the North Sea will trigger new projects, safeguard employment, reduce emissions, and enhance the UK’s energy autonomy.
The statement added that a “more flexible application process” will be introduced for licensing requests, but these would still undergo a “climate compatibility” check to align with carbon reduction targets.
The statement underscored the government’s efforts to stem the fast-paced decline in domestic oil and gas production, aiming to secure local energy sources and minimise dependence on potentially hostile nations.
Sunak emphasised the critical importance of reinforcing the UK’s energy security and exploiting this independence to provide more affordable, cleaner energy. He asserted that even after achieving the net zero target by 2050, a quarter of Britain’s energy needs will be met by oil and gas.
A report published on Monday by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) revealed that the carbon footprint from the UK’s domestic gas production is only a quarter of the footprint resulting from imported liquefied natural gas.
