UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Sir Keir Starmer has been warned by the Grantham Institute on Climate Change that approving the Rosebank oilfield would undermine climate commitments.
According to the country’s leading environmental institute, approving the North Sea oilfield under political pressure would significantly harm global climate efforts.
What will the Grantham Institute argue about Rosebank in its report?
The Grantham Institute on Climate Change, led by Nicholas Stern, will warn ministers against approving the Rosebank and Jackdaw oilfields amid reports that the Treasury backs drilling to drive economic expansion.
An upcoming analysis from the institute argues that if the government greenlights the projects, it would indicate to fossil fuel giants like the United States and Russia that the UK is in favour of maintaining current oil and gas expansion.
As reported by The Guardian, the institute warns that newly elected President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement has intensified climate change, stating that, “We are at a critical point in international efforts to have a reasonable chance” of preventing global warming’s severe effects.
The report stated,
“To demonstrate international leadership on climate change the UK government needs to take responsibility not just for its territorial emissions but also for how its actions might affect actions by others.”
The Grantham Institute argues that backing “dirty energy” would hinder Britain’s ability to secure investment in cleaner energy, which it claims is essential for economic growth.
Bob Ward, policy director at the Grantham Institute, warned,
“If the government tries to back both the dirty and clean energy industries at the same time, investment will be held back and the government will fail in its mission to boost economic growth.”
What did Fergus Green say about the approval of the Rosebank oilfield?
Fergus Green, a political science associate professor at University College London, stated that despite the government’s interest in approving Rosebank, there are still legal and procedural steps to be taken.
He added that supporters of individual fossil fuel projects may argue that each one is insignificant, but this overlooks the cumulative effects, where many projects together contribute to an overflowing environmental crisis.
Mr. Green stated that, according to credible sources, emissions from fossil fuels being burned or extracted in global oil, gas, and coal projects surpass the remaining carbon budget required to limit warming to 1.5°C. New projects such as the Rosebank oilfield will exacerbate the issue, with its oil production having a significant impact on global climate change.
He said,
“Allowing large UK oil and gas fields like Rosebank to proceed would signal the government’s insincerity about the 1.5°C goal, undermining its leadership role in achieving it.”
How did Tessa Khan, CEO of climate organization Uplift, respond to Rosebank oilfield approval?
Tessa Khan, the executive director of Uplift, stated that the addition of new oil and gas fields will exceed climate safety limits, worsening the severe weather effects and recovery costs, as evidenced by recent extreme weather events and cleanup expenses.
Mr Khan argued that “Quite aside from its climate impact, Rosebank is an awful deal for the UK. The vast majority of Rosebank’s oil will be sold on the international market for export, doing nothing to lower energy bills or increase UK energy security, and yet the UK public will pick up most of the costs of developing the field thanks to generous tax breaks.”
What is the Labour MP’s stance on the approval of the Rosebank oilfield?
Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, has called the license granted to Rosebank “climate vandalism” and is believed to be firmly against its development approval.
Many Labour MPs have expressed that they would not accept approval for the Rosebank field, considering it a betrayal.
Amid growing concerns about green commitments, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer are eager to revive economic growth, while environmental groups are becoming more concerned that Number 10 and the Treasury are backtracking on their climate promises.
What is Keir Starmer’s stance on the Rosebank oil project?
Sir Keir Starmer stated he would not block the Rosebank oil and gas field after a court decision sent the matter to the government, which had previously committed to not issuing any new licences.
The prime minister stated earlier this week, “I can’t preempt the decision, but you know, we did say that where a licence had already been granted, we wouldn’t interfere with them.”
What is the Rosebank Oil and Gas Field?
Rosebank, located 80 miles off the Shetland coast, is the UK’s largest undeveloped oil field. The project was approved by the previous Conservative government in September 2023 and involves developing nearly 500 million barrels of oil.
The development has raised significant concerns due to its environmental and financial implications. The field’s operation could produce over 200 million tonnes of CO2, exacerbating climate change.