The UK Government has approved development of the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea.
The announcement comes despite clear warnings from scientists that no new oil and gas fields are compatible with safe climate limits. The UN announced today that “the world is running headlong towards a long-term temperature rise of 2.8C based on present government policies”, further increasing the risk of catastrophic floods, wildfires and heatwaves.
The Government has justified the move by arguing that it will strengthen the UK’s energy security, create more jobs and lower household energy bills. Yet each of these claims have been proven flawed over recent months. Jackdaw would provide just 2% of UK gas needs over its 10-year lifetime, assuming no exports, and provide only 27 direct, full-time new jobs. Moreover, a new gas field will fail to reduce household bills, which in reality are determined by prices set by international markets.
This news sets a worrying direction as it comes in anticipation of another Government decision on the future of the larger Rosebank oil and gas field, which, containing roughly 300 million barrels of oil, would generate around 250 million tonnes of greenhouse gases over its lifetime, equating to roughly 66% of the UK’s total emissions in 2024.
We are deeply concerned by this decision and the failure of this new Government to demonstrate its commitment to tackling the climate crisis with the necessary urgency required. Approving new oil and gas fields like Jackdaw and Rosebank strips the UK Government of its role as a global climate leader whilst threatening our national security, and endangering the world we are working hard to protect.
Rather than approving new drilling projects and entrenching our reliance on fossil fuels, the Government should be accelerating the shift to renewables and supporting solutions that will not exacerbate the climate crisis but instead provide all our communities with a safe and equitable future.
Alison Tickell, Founder and Director of Policy at Julie’s Bicycle said:
“Today’s announcement is a disappointing start to Andy Burnham’s new Government and a worrying reflection of its credibility on the climate crisis.
It is not the ‘pragmatic’ solution the PM hinted at in his speech at the Labour conference, but an irresponsible and misguided act. It is simply kicking the oil can down a very dangerous road.
Following the hottest European summer on record, catastrophic floods in Nepal, and now looking ahead to the consequences of an unprecedented super El Niño event, now is not the time to be increasing our reliance on fossil fuels. We urge Labour to reverse this decision immediately.
Allowing drilling at the Jackdaw site is a seriously irresponsible act of climate vandalism that will only store up more damage for the future.
Imagine what would happen if the UK chose to double down on decarbonisation instead. We could build a national network powered by clean, renewable energy that lowers bills, creates thousands of sustainable jobs, protects our planet, and keeps our communities safe. Across the cultural sector, we see people driving climate action and reimagining what a better world looks like every day.
It’s time for the Government to step up and invest in our collective vision for a safe, equitable, and clean energy future.“
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