Britain announced on Monday its intention to grant hundreds of new oil and gas licences in the North Sea. Disregarding calls from environmental campaigners and the United Nations to halt new fossil fuel projects.
The ambitious plans unveiled by PM Rishi Sunak also include a commitment to invest £20 billion ($26 billion) in carbon capture and storage projects. While maintaining the government’s resolve to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Sunak, en route to Scotland to formally introduce the oil and gas licences package.Asserted that even after reaching the net-zero target. Britain would still require fossil fuels. He emphasised the significance of producing oil and natural gas domestically to reduce reliance on foreign leaders such as Russian President Putin. Sunak cited Putin’s actions during the invasion of Ukraine. It caused global energy prices to soar and highlighted the importance of bolstering the nation’s energy security.
“We have all witnessed how Putin has manipulated and weaponised energy—disrupting supply and stalling growth in countries around the world,” Sunak said in a statement. “Now more than ever, it’s vital that we bolster our energy security and capitalize on that independence to deliver more affordable, clean energy to British homes and businesses.”
However, the government’s decision is facing criticism from both U.N. scientists and environmental campaigners. They are urging governments worldwide to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. Following a summer marked by record high temperatures, droughts, and floods linked to man-made climate change. The burning of oil and gas for transportation, industry, and electricity generation releases substantial amounts of carbon dioxide, the primary driver of global warming.
It’s fossil fuels—period
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concerns about governments backtracking on their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a time when accelerated efforts are necessary.
“The problem is not simply fossil fuel emissions; it’s fossil fuels—period,” Guterres told reporters in New York last month.
Sunak is currently facing pressure from his Conservative Party to reconsider costly environmental commitments in an effort to attract voters. Recent opinion polls have shown the party potentially headed towards a significant defeat in the next general election. Despite these challenges, the government is pushing forward with its energy independence plans. Emphasising the importance of balancing environmental concerns with the need for domestic energy production.