Britain’s official climate advisers have left the door open for the government to approve more North Sea oil and gas drilling, according to The Times, saying that the impact on the planet of new domestic production is “not clear-cut”.
The Climate Change Committee said that it would support a “presumption against exploration”, primarily because of the signal it would send to investors and the world about the UK’s commitment to limiting global warming.
However, in a letter to Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, it stopped short of recommending such a ban because the scientific evidence was inconclusive and it acknowledged that the government must factor in “additional important considerations, such as on energy security”.
It said domestic production did have a lower emissions footprint than the global average, especially for gas, but was critical of the industry's 50% emission reduction targets, saying a 68% cut was possible through measures such as electrifying platforms.
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Mike Tholen, Sustainability Director for Offshore Energies UK, said: “The Committee on Climate Change recognises that there is a continued role for domestic production if we can accelerate our climate ambitions and we hear that challenge today.
“We are demonstrating by our actions that we are capable of delivering our climate commitments and will continue to do so while providing energy security for the UK.
“The North Sea Transition Deal agreed with the UK Government will deliver a managed transition, support cleaner energies and deliver net zero in a way that also guarantees reliable energy supplies. With the right support and a managed plan, we have an opportunity to support jobs and skills here in the UK which be exported globally.
"This is a positive signal which shows climate leadership by taking accountability and maximises the opportunities of a homegrown transition for UK jobs and businesses.”
New licences 'will be issued'
The committee urged the government to set “stringent tests” not only for new exploration but also for consenting fields for production.
The government is currently is consulting on a “climate compatibility checkpoint” and has faced pressure to not offer exploration licences.
However, speaking yesterday, UK Energy Minister Greg Hands said North Sea oil and gas has a “good, solid” future ahead, and confirmed that the government will issue new licences this year.
Speaking at International Energy Week 2022 on Tuesday, Mr Hands made the case for further production, adding: “We need continued investment into the North Sea.”