Scientists Urge PM to Ban North Sea Oil Drilling

Leading climate scientists, instrumental in developing Greater Manchester's "carbon neutral by 2038" initiative, have formally requested the Prime Minister to refuse any new drilling permits in the North Sea. The appeal comes amidst reports that the government may grant approval for the Jackdaw and Rosebank oilfields, projects previously put on hold due to legal challenges requiring more detailed environmental impact assessments.

Concerns Over Climate Commitments

In an open letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Professor Kevin Anderson and colleagues from the Tyndall Centre at the University of Manchester expressed significant apprehension regarding potential government approval of the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields. They stated that authorising further development of these oil and gas resources would signal a retreat from the UK's international climate responsibilities and contradict the principles advocated by the Prime Minister during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester. The scientists noted that while these fields were in the licensing process before the last general election, a Labour manifesto pledge indicated no new oil and gas licences would be issued. A consultation on the Jackdaw field is scheduled to conclude on 8 August.

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The letter highlights the escalating climate emergency, referencing the extreme heat and widespread wildfires experienced across the UK and Europe this summer. According to the scientists, global emissions must decrease by approximately 8% annually to meet the Paris Agreement's target of limiting global warming to a maximum of 2C. They emphasised that global temperatures have already reached the lower threshold of 1.5C, with extreme weather events becoming increasingly common.

“Future generations will not judge governments by the ingenuity with which they justified expanding fossil fuel production. They will judge whether, when faced with unequivocal scientific evidence and clear international commitments, they had the courage and compassion to act in a manner consistent with the obligations they had freely entered into.”

Scientists from the Tyndall Centre

Call for Scientific Integrity

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The academics urged the Prime Minister to maintain the commitment to scientific evidence and political resolve demonstrated during the development of the Greater Manchester carbon neutral plan. They argued that approving new drilling would send an adverse message globally, suggesting a willingness to step back from obligations the UK has encouraged other nations to uphold. The scientists stressed that remaining global carbon budgets are diminishing rapidly, and any expansion of fossil fuel production is incompatible with the UK's climate commitments.

The scientists who assisted in crafting the Greater Manchester climate strategy noted that the scientific evidence supporting immediate emissions reductions has strengthened since earlier commitments were made. They stated that the widespread moorland fires, which have degraded air quality in Greater Manchester, serve as a vivid illustration of the increasing impact of extreme weather events.