On Wednesday, the energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, gave the go-ahead for gas production to begin at the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea. This has been the subject of fierce debate for many years, with strong views on both sides. I want to explain what the decision means and how it fits with Britain’s climate commitments.
At a time of acute global instability, it makes sense to responsibly use our resources here at home. Gas from this field will begin heating our homes and powering our businesses this winter. In the longer term, it will significantly strengthen our energy security by increasing domestic gas production by about 6% and support the UK’s energy supply for more than a decade.
Wednesday’s decision will also protect hundreds of jobs in Scotland and add almost £3bn to the UK economy over the lifetime of the project. There has been much speculation about what this announcement means for Britain’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis. I want to be clear that our determination is unwavering.
The simple truth is that even as we pursue our ambitious target of net zero by 2050, we will need oil and gas for years to come as a bridge to that clean-energy future. And imported gas has a higher carbon footprint than gas produced at home. The transition to net zero is a process, not a moment.
I want Britain to make that transition on our terms: reducing our dependence on foreign fossil fuels, supporting good jobs and growing our economy so we can help people with the cost of living. I know this news will be warmly welcomed in Aberdeen and by oil and gas workers across Scotland. Their jobs support families, businesses and entire communities.
Yet, like many others, their industry has suffered from deindustrialisation, with too little thought given by politicians to the places left behind. I will not be so careless with people’s lives. Our oil and gas workers have powered our nation for decades, and they will continue to play a key role for decades to come.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
