UK to grant hundreds of new North Sea oil and gas licences

The prime minister has announced that hundreds of new oil and gas licenses will be granted in an attempt to make the country more energy independent, by slowing the rapid decline in domestic production of oil and gas, secure our domestic energy supply and reduce reliance on hostile states.

The Government and the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) have announced a joint commitment to undertake future licensing rounds, which will continue to be subject to a climate compatibility test.

It is hoped that the new licenses will increase the UK’s energy security and reduce dependence on higher-emission imports, whilst protecting more than 200,000 jobs.

It has been reported that domestic gas production has around one-quarter the carbon footprint of imported liquified natural gas.

The Climate Change Committee has predicted that around a quarter of the UK’s energy demand will still be met by oil and gas when the UK reaches net zero in 2050.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: We have all witnessed how Putin has manipulated and weaponised energy – disrupting supply and stalling growth in countries around the world.

"Now more than ever, it’s vital that we bolster our energy security and capitalise on that independence to deliver more affordable, clean energy to British homes and businesses.

"Even when we’ve reached net zero in 2050, a quarter of our energy needs will come from oil and gas. But there are those who would rather that it come from hostile states than from the supplies we have here at home.

 "We’re choosing to power up Britain from Britain and invest in crucial industries such as carbon capture and storage, rather than depend on more carbon intensive gas imports from overseas – which will support thousands of skilled jobs, unlock further opportunities for green technologies and grow the economy."

However, the announcement has been widely criticised. Lyndsay Walsh, Oxfam's climate change policy advisor said: "Today's wrongheaded decision is yet another example of the government's hypocritical and dangerously inconsistent climate policy.

"Extracting more fossil fuels from the North Sea will send a wrecking ball through the UK's climate commitments at a time when we should be investing in a just transition to a low carbon economy and and our own abundant renewables."

Chris Skidmore, chair of the Net Zero review said: "This is the wrong decision at precisely the wrong time, when the rest of the world is experiencing record heat waves. It is on the wrong side of a future economy that will be founded on renewable and clean industries and not fossil fuels. It is on the wrong side of modern voters who will vote with their feet at the next General Election for parties that protect, and not threaten, our environment. And it is on the wrong side of history, that will not look favourably on the decision taken today. Worryingly, this decision has also been announced when MPs are on recess, unable to hold the government to account. I will be writing to the speaker to call for an emergency debate as soon as we return."

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