The British government on Wednesday gave approval for drilling to begin in the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, after years of legal and political problems stalled the controversial fossil fuel project.
The Labor government justified the move by saying it would boost Britain’s energy security amid rising energy costs due to the US-Israeli war with Iran.
The gas field had already been approved by the previous Conservative government, but we were held up by a Scottish court which said the approval did not take carbon emissions into account.
The field is approximately 240 kilometers east of Aberdeen in Scotland.
What did the British government say about approving Jackdaw?
Labor Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has come under pressure from US President Donald Trump to increase drilling in the North Sea, said the new gas field would “protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter”.
“At a time when people are really struggling, it is right that we responsibly seek to maximize the existing energy reserves that we have in Britain that could help,” he said.
“We are committed to progress towards renewable energy and reaching net zero emissions by 2050. But even on our ambitious climate path, we will still need oil and gas to meet our energy needs for decades to come. That is why we are taking a pragmatic approach to the North Sea,” Burnham added.
Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said gas could start flowing to British homes and businesses by the end of the month. Jackdaw is expected to increase national gas production by 6% and last for 11 years.
What was the reaction to the new British gas project?
Shell, part of the Adura joint venture with Norway’s Equinor, welcomed the move.
“Long-term energy projects depend on a competitive and stable investment environment, as well as timely and predictable regulatory decisions,” Shell said.
However, this decision also attracted strong criticism. The Green Party called it “climate vandalism,” while Greenpeace said the endorsement showed “the toxic hold that fossil fuel lobbyists still hold over our energy policy.”
“True pragmatism means ending our dependence on expensive oil and gas, which leaves British households broke, worsens extreme weather and leaves our energy security at the mercy of the petrostates,” said Ami McCarthy, of the environment group.
Critics also question whether the new project would actually have an impact on UK gas bills since prices are determined by global energy markets.
In an attempt to show the government’s commitment to its climate goals, alongside Choucas’ endorsement, he announced the creation of a new Energy Wealth Fund, with an initial £2 billion ($2.7 billion), aimed at channeling oil and gas revenues into funding the transition to cleaner energy.
The UK is aiming for net zero emissions by 2050, although this target must be seen in light of the realities the planet already faces, with a new UN report saying the world is heading towards 2.8 degrees of warming, well beyond the 1.5 degree target set in the Paris Climate Agreement.
It also comes after the UK experienced its hottest summer on record, with temperatures so far reaching 38 degrees in some areas in June, according to the Met Office.
Edited by: Kieran Burke
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