The UK government has released new guidance for evaluating oil and gas projects, requiring operators to consider both production emissions and combustion emissions—known as “scope 3” emissions—in their environmental impact assessments. This guidance follows a Supreme Court ruling and aims to clarify processes for projects like the Scottish Rosebank and Jackdaw fields.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks stated that this approach represents progress toward a cleaner energy future, emphasizing the need to balance environmental impacts with economic considerations. Climate activists, however, argue that new developments will minimally affect the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.
The guidance allows developers to resume applications that were stalled due to the previous legal decision, but extraction is contingent on gaining new approvals. Critics, including Ed Miliband and organizations like Greenpeace, have labeled projects like Rosebank as incompatible with UK climate commitments, citing their significant environmental impact.
As this situation evolves, further assessments will inform whether these projects are granted approval. There remains skepticism regarding the government’s commitment to climate goals amidst ongoing fossil fuel projects.
Source link
