Oil and gas ‘not the problem’ for climate, says UK’s net zero minister

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🗞️ Driving the news: UK's net zero minister, Graham Stuart, has stated that oil and gas are not the problem for climate change, but rather the emissions they produce are
• This suggests a potential increased focus on carbon capture and storage technologies

🔭 The context: Stuart's comments come as a defense of the UK government's stance on new oil and gas licensing in the North Sea, which has faced criticism from opposition parties and environmentalists

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The UK, among over 80 countries, called for the phaseout of fossil fuels at the last UN climate summit; however, Stuart's recent remarks raise questions about the UK's position at the upcoming Cop28 in Dubai

⏭️ What's next: The debate continues on whether focusing on emissions rather than fossil fuels themselves is a viable strategy
• Critics argue that this approach may rely too heavily on unproven carbon capture technologies

💬 One quote: "There is nothing fundamentally wrong with oil and gas, it’s emissions from oil and gas that are the problem and that we must focus on" (Graham Stuart, UK's net zero minister)

📈 One stat: The UK's committee on climate change has warned that the country is not on track to meet its net zero goals, contradicting Stuart's optimistic view of UK climate policy

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