THE new Prime Minister has been urged to "listen to the experts" he has previously trusted in Manchester, who are warning him of the environmental toll new North Sea licensing would have.
The Scottish Greens have backed calls from the climate scientists behind the 2038 net-zero commitment for Greater Manchester, which was put into place by Andy Burnham in his former role as mayor.
The scientists, organised through campaign group Climate Uncensored, have demanded that Burnham "show[s] the same commitment to evidence, the same political courage and the same sense of responsibility that characterised [his] leadership in Greater Manchester" by acting as Prime Minister to block the drilling applications for the Jackdaw and Rosebank gas and oil fields.
"Future generations will not judge governments by the ingenuity with which they justified expanding fossil fuel production. They will judge whether, when faced with unequivocal scientific evidence and clear international commitments, they had the courage and compassion to act in a manner consistent with the obligations they had freely entered into.
"We hope your Government will show that courage by refusing to approve the further development of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields," they added.
A letter sent by the four University of Manchester engineering experts explained that while "some argue that permitting Rosebank and Jackdaw would not technically breach Labour’s previous commitment to stop issuing new oil and gas licences. Such legal or procedural distinctions may have political relevance, but they are immaterial to the physics of climate change.
"The climate system responds to the cumulative quantity of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
"If these developments proceed, they will ultimately result in the release of hundreds of millions of tonnes of additional carbon dioxide, further reducing the already vanishing space for climate action."
Labour's 2024 manifesto declared that the party, at the time led by Keir Starmer, "will not issue new licences to explore new fields because they will not take a penny off bills, cannot make us energy secure, and will only accelerate the worsening climate crisis".
However, Jackdaw and Rosebank had been approved by the Tory government, but were later blocked by the courts.
Now, Scottish Greens energy spokesperson, Kristopher Leask has backed the experts' demands, saying: “The very same climate scientists who developed Manchester’s ambitious local climate commitments that got Andy Burnham elected as mayor were worth listening to when he was seeking office, so their warnings and concerns deserve to be taken just as seriously now.
“Science has not changed since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister. He should listen to the experts who helped shape his own climate commitments, reject Rosebank and Jackdaw, and invest in an energy transition that puts workers, communities and the climate ahead of fossil fuel profits.
“We have witnessed wildfires tear through the Cairngorms where many of my constituents have been evacuated from their homes. Meanwhile the comparisons of the tragic fires across Spain and France are hard to ignore. Burnham must stop sticking his head in the sand.
“Approving Rosebank and Jackdaw would be a complete retreat from the promise he and his party have made.”
The Green backing of the scientists' demands comes after a health and safety incident at he Rosebank platform, which has stood idle awaiting a decision on whether or not new consents can be granted after previously issued permission, given by the Conservatives in 2022, was found to have been granted unlawfully.
On April 18 it has been reported that two key pieces of drilling equipment, including a safety valve, were dropped over 1km onto the seabed.
Leask added: “This warning comes alongside reports that equipment, including a safety valve, was dropped more than a kilometre onto the seabed, potentially delaying the project for months whilst raising serious questions about operational competence and environmental risk.
“It is a grim irony that a literal drop in the ocean may have done more to delay Rosebank than Labour’s broken climate promises.
“Labour promised they would not issue new licences to explore new fields when they were elected in 2024, because in their own words, it will not take a penny off bills, cannot make us energy secure, and will only accelerate the worsening climate crisis.”
A Department of Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson responded: "The North Sea remains a vital national asset, supporting jobs, growth and the UK's energy security.
"We are clear that oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, alongside renewables, nuclear and other low-carbon technologies.
“Our focus is on providing stability and supporting North Sea workers and communities as they continue to make a vital contribution to the UK’s economy.”
