The UK government announced on Wednesday its approval for drilling to commence at the controversial Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea.
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The decision drew praise from energy industry groups but sharp criticism from environmental campaigners, who warned it would increase carbon emissions. The Jackdaw field is located approximately 240 kilometres east of Aberdeen, Scotland.
Ministers argued the project would bolster UK energy security amid soaring prices driven by the conflict in Iran.
“At a time when people are really struggling, it is right that we look responsibly at maximising the domestic energy reserves we have in Britain that could help,” Prime Minister Andy Burnham said.
“We remain committed to transitioning to renewable energy and achieving net zero by 2050. However, even on our ambitious climate pathway, oil and gas will remain part of our energy mix for decades to come.”
Critics countered that the development would do little to reduce household electricity bills, as wholesale oil and gas prices are determined by global markets.
A Scottish court ruled last year that prior approvals for both Jackdaw and the Rosebank field were unlawful because they failed to account for indirect carbon emissions.
The government has not yet decided whether to approve Rosebank, which is believed to contain the UK’s largest untapped oil reserves.
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, labelled the decision “climate vandalism,” while Greenpeace stated the approval demonstrated “the toxic grip fossil fuel lobbyists still hold over our energy policy.”
“True pragmatism means ending our reliance on expensive oil and gas that leaves British households worse off, fuels extreme weather, and leaves our energy security at the mercy of petrostates,” said Ami McCarthy, head of politics at Greenpeace UK.