UK government to outlaw new North Sea drilling
The UK government has introduced the Energy Independence Bill, which aims to ban new oil and gas exploration licenses in the North Sea to meet climate goals. While the bill includes provisions for renewable energy investment, it has faced criticism from the Conservatives regarding potential economic and energy security impacts.
Why it matters
This legislation represents a significant shift in UK energy policy, balancing the transition to renewables with the economic realities of the existing oil and gas sector.
Image caption, The new law would not affect the decision on whether to start production at the Rosebank site
The UK government has moved to ban any new exploration for oil and gas in the North Sea.
The Energy Independence Bill would remove the North Sea Transition Authority's ability to grant new oil and gas licences.
The legislation will not affect the decision on whether to allow drilling at Rosebank off Shetland - the UK's largest known untapped field - which was approved in 2022 before being subject to legal challenges.
The UK government said it was upholding Labour's 2024 manifesto vow not to issue licences for new oil and gas fields, as well as underpinning its commitment to reducing global warming.
The Conservatives described the bills as "dangerous", accusing Labour ministers of being "totally oblivious the economic and energy threats this country faces".
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