An independent taskforce has met for the first time to ensure the
North Sea’s strategic transition from oil and gas to a renewable future, while
safeguarding up to 200,000 jobs.
The North Sea Transition Taskforce - which include an number of key figures from Aberdeen - brings together a diverse group
of experts from industry, sustainability, supply chains, academia, and unions.
Its three aims are to protect jobs, support the energy transition, and secure
the long-term future of the North Sea as a vital national asset.
Yesterday’s meeting at the British Chambers of Commerce,
marked the first step in creating an organised plan for transitioning from oil
and gas to renewable energy while addressing challenges associated with
licensing, decommissioning, investment, and the workforce.
Taskforce Membership
The Taskforce, chaired by Philip Rycroft, a former Permanent
Secretary in the UK Government, has assembled a panel of experienced leaders
from various sectors:
- Shevaun Haviland, Executive Director of the Taskforce and Director
General of the British Chambers of Commerce
- Professor Paul de Leeuw, Robert Gordon University
- Professor Nick Butler, King's College London
- Dr Sally
Uren, Executive Director and Chief Acceleration Officer, Forum for the Future
- Sarah Moore, CEO, Peterson
- Steven Gray, Managing Partner, Ventex Studio
- Trevor Garlick,
Independent Consultant
- Peter Welsh, National Campaign Lead (Scotland), GMB
Speaking after the meeting, Philip Rycroft said: “This first meeting sets the foundation for an ambitious and
inclusive agenda. Each member brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to
help us ensure a just, fair and strategic transition for the North Sea.
“By working together, we aim to provide Government with the
blueprint for stability for businesses, protect tens of thousands of skilled
jobs, and guide the sector and its critical energy assets towards a sustainable
future.”
Key challenges
The Taskforce’s discussions focused on identifying the key
challenges and framing the scale of the transition. Initial conversations
highlighted:
- The opportunities presented by positive policy action in North Sea
energy.
- The need for long-term clarity around the fiscal regime for and
governance of the North Sea to provide certainty to investors operating, or
looking to operate, in the North Sea.
- The future of the workforce in the North Sea and the
transferability of the supply chain and skills between the oil and gas sector
and the renewables sector.
Future meetings, in February and March, will delve deeper into
these challenges, providing a comprehensive analysis and developing a framework
to ensure an equitable transition. A consolidated and detailed strategy will be
outlined as discussions progress with publication in Spring 2025.
Reinforcing the important urgency of the Taskforce’s work,
Executive Director, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers
of Commerce, said: “The Taskforce was born from calls for action by industry leaders
and workers alike. We are determined to find solutions that meet the challenges
of net zero while safeguarding livelihoods and the UK’s energy security. This
meeting has set the stage to develop a united approach from everyone involved
to deliver a just transition.”
The Taskforce’s recommendations will provide guidance to both the
Scottish and UK governments on managing the transition.