‘Grossly irresponsible’: UK hands out 24 new North Sea oil and gas licences

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🗞️ Driving the news: The British government has awarded 24 new drilling licenses to major oil companies, including Shell and BP, for fossil fuel extraction in the North Sea
•  This decision, part of efforts to sustain the oil and gas sector, has sparked controversy among MPs and environmentalists, who label it as counterproductive to climate goals

🔭 The context: These licenses, granted in various North Sea regions, aim to bolster local and broader economies, with production potentially starting before 2030
• This move follows an initial batch of 27 licenses and is defended by the government as a step towards energy security and net zero ambitions, despite criticism for contradicting the UK's climate commitments

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Critics argue that expanding fossil fuel extraction contradicts global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. The policy has been slammed for prioritizing short-term economic gains over environmental sustainability and for potentially undermining the UK's climate leadership on the international stage.

⏭️ What's next: The decision has reignited the debate over the UK's energy policies and its commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels
• Environmental groups and some policymakers are calling for a more coherent strategy that aligns with climate objectives, emphasizing the need for a shift towards renewable energy sources and sustainable practices

💬 One quote: "If we didn’t have new oil and gas licences we would import new [liquefied natural gas] from abroad which is four times as carbon intensive as the gas produced here," - Graham Stuart, minister for energy security and net zero

📈 One stat: The oil and gas industry supports about 120,000 jobs in the UK, highlighting the sector's economic significance despite its environmental impact

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