New North Sea oil and gas drilling could go ahead on national security grounds
Net zero rules for the North Sea could be watered down under proposals aimed at freeing the West from its reliance on Russian fossil fuel in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, says the Telegraph.
Officials are examining a plan that would allow new oil and gas drilling to go ahead on national security grounds, even if it violates a ban on schemes that could damage Britain's bid to go carbon neutral by 2050.
The move - which would be a major policy reversal just months after Boris Johnson pledged to lead the fight against climate change at the Cop-26 conference - comes as the Prime Minister pushes for more energy imports from Saudi Arabia and weighs up ending a ban on fracking.
Ministers are currently consulting on proposals for so-called climate compatibility checkpoints, which companies must pass to win drilling licences in North Sea oil and gas fields.
These are designed to ensure projects only go ahead if they meet stringent criteria that take into account UK oil demand, the availability of clean energy and the industry's progress against emission-reduction targets.
However, the Government is now considering ways that these rules can be avoided in order to protect the country's domestic energy supply.
Proposals being considered are said to include a relaxation of the checkpoints so drilling is allowed for geopolitical and national security reasons.
Ministers could alternatively be granted the power to override a decision on national security grounds.
At a roundtable with energy sector leaders earlier this week, Boris Johnson discussed "boosting supply of domestic gas" from the North Sea and how the UK can remove barriers being faced by investors and developers so this can be achieved more quickly.
The roundtable comes as the UK Government prepares to publish its new energy supply strategy - reportedly as soon as next week - with renewable energy, nuclear and domestic gas "all a crucial part of achieving its aims".