The Case for Britain Backing Its North Sea Oil and Gas Industry
The article argues that the UK should continue to support its North Sea oil and gas industry to ensure energy security and economic stability during the transition to net zero. It highlights the potential economic benefits of projects like Jackdaw and Rosebank.
Why it matters
The debate reflects the tension between immediate energy security needs and long-term climate change commitments in the UK.
Britain faces a simple choice. While we still need oil and gas, do we produce more of it here, supporting jobs, investment, energy security and lower production emissions, or do we import more from overseas, which costs more and involves higher emissions That is the real question facing ministers as they consider Jackdaw and Rosebank. With extreme weather becoming ever more visible, the need to tackle climate change is beyond doubt. The UK must scale up renewable and low-carbon energy, but people deserve honesty. Even on our path to net zero, Britain will need oil and gas for years to come. Oil and gas still meet around 75 per cent of current UK energy needs, which is why the decisions facing ministers on Jackdaw and Rosebank are so important.
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