Sturgeon warns new oil projects should be blocked without ‘robust’ climate test

NICOLA Sturgeon has insisted that any new North Sea oil and gas developments should be blocked in the absence of the UK Government bringing forward a “robust” climate compatibility test.

The UK Government is currently drawing up plans for a climate compatibility checkpoint to be required for new developments, but calls, including from the First Minister, have been made for this to be extended to existing licensed schemes such as the controversial Cambo oil field off the coast of Shetland.

Anger has also been raised over the Jackdaw oil field plans, which are expected to receive approval soon despite the proposals being previously rejected on environmental grounds.

In January, the UK Government approved the Abigail oil and gas field in the North Sea, while it is thought several new developments could start production without the climate test being applied.

The UK Government is set to open a new round of licensing for oil and gas projects in the autumn as part of its new energy security strategy.

Research by the campaigners Uplift claims that almost 50 projects could be approved between 2022 and 2025.

The First Minister, who previously said the Cambo plans should not go ahead, has now insisted that no new fossil fuel projects should be given the green light without a “robust” climate compatibility checkpoint being in place.

Tory net zero and energy spokesperson, Liam Kerr, claimed that a move from overseas to domestic oil and gas production, by ramping up North Sea extraction, is “actually progressing our journey to net zero”.

But Ms Sturgeon stressed that it would be the incorrect strategy “simply to replace one source of oil and gas with another source of oil and gas”.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “After COP26, I asked the

First Minister in this chamber if Cambo should go ahead and she rightly said that it should not get the green light.

“Is it also the First Minister’s position that Jackdaw should not get the green light?”

Ms Sturgeon said: “I am very clear...that any new development whether that is a new licensing round or already consented developments that are looking for the go-ahead, have to have a robust climate compatibility checkpoint and in the absence of that, shouldn’t go ahead.”

Tessa Khan, director of Uplift, said:“the First Minister is right to highlight the impact on our climate of new oil and gas developments, like Jackdaw, which is a particularly polluting gas field.

“The regulator has already rejected Shell’s plans for Jackdaw due to the ‘significant effect’ on the climate from its emissions. Yet the UK Government wants to fast track this development without subjecting it to a credible climate test.”