UK approves Jackdaw gasfield in North Sea
The UK government has approved the controversial Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea. The decision, expected after lobbying by Shell, aims to secure domestic energy supplies for the winter and protect jobs, though it has drawn criticism from environmental campaigners and some Labour MPs.
Why it matters
Balancing near-term energy security and economic pressures against long-term net-zero climate commitments remains a central challenge for the UK government.
Environmental campaigners calling for Jackdaw and the separate Rosebank scheme to be abandoned. Environmental campaigners calling for Jackdaw and the separate Rosebank scheme to be abandoned. Environment policy UK approves Jackdaw gasfield in North Sea Decision was widely expected after lobbying by Shell but will dismay environmental campaigners
What does the UK’s approval of the Jackdaw gasfield mean?
Prefer the Guardian on Google The UK government has approved the controversial Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea, a widely expected move that will nonetheless dismay environmental campaigners and a number of Labour MPs.
While Labour’s 2024 election manifesto committed to a ban on new drilling licences in the North Sea, the companies behind Jackdaw and the Rosebank oilfield project, which is being decided on separately, have sought environmental approval for existing licences.
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