Government drops legal defence for UK’s largest untapped oil and gas fields

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Independent or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The UK government has chosen not to defend against judicial reviews for the Rosebank and Jackdaw offshore oil and gas projects, citing cost-saving reasons
• Despite this move, the licences for drilling at these sites remain intact
• Environmental groups have welcomed the decision, which aligns with a Supreme Court ruling mandating more thorough environmental assessments

🔭 The context: Rosebank, the UK's largest untapped oil field, was approved in September 2023 and could hold up to 300 million barrels of oil
• The Jackdaw gas field is located east of Aberdeen and is expected to begin production in 2025
• Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has indicated that his party will honor existing oil and gas licenses while opposing new ones

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Environmental campaigners argue that these projects could significantly increase carbon emissions and hinder the UK's climate goals
• The Supreme Court’s Finch ruling mandates that burning oil and gas must be factored into environmental assessments, highlighting the environmental risks of new fossil fuel developments

⏭️ What's next: The UK government plans to consult on new guidance that considers the Supreme Court ruling, ensuring that future oil and gas projects undergo rigorous environmental assessments
• This process aims to balance energy security, job protection, and environmental sustainability

💬 One quote: “These permits should never have been granted without being properly assessed for their impact on the climate,” said Mel Evans, UK climate team leader at Greenpeace

📈 One stat: In 2021, the oil and gas sector accounted for about 14% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, emitting approximately 20.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent

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