UK government approves Jackdaw gas field in North Sea; Greens call it 'climate vandalism'
After months of delay, the UK's Labour government has approved the Jackdaw gas field east of Aberdeen. Green Party leader Zack Polanski strongly condemned the decision.
The UK government on 21 October approved the development of the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, east of the Scottish city of Aberdeen. The decision followed months of delay and is the first of two disputed North Sea projects to be settled. The other is the Rosebank oil field.
How the situation arose
At the last general election, Labour pledged not to grant new oil and gas licences in the North Sea, while allowing existing projects to proceed. Jackdaw and Rosebank had been approved by the Conservatives, but the courts blocked those approvals and ordered a rethink. Labour chose to treat both as existing projects rather than new ones, though that did not guarantee approval.
Over the past year or so, largely because of high global energy prices, the public and political debate has shifted and pressure to allow continued North Sea extraction has grown. The Rosebank decision is expected to be tougher, because its carbon emissions are far higher than Jackdaw's.
Reactions
Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the decision as an example of a 'pragmatic approach'. He said it would protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter. The government remains committed to net zero by 2050, he said, but oil and gas will still be needed for decades. He also pointed to a planned Energy Wealth Fund that would invest in renewable energy.
Some Labour figures are alarmed, but the party's MPs have so far offered little public criticism. The other main parties support Jackdaw going ahead.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski called the decision 'climate vandalism'. He noted that the energy secretary herself has said it will not change energy bills, while the industry's own assessment foresees only 27 jobs.
