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Sadiq Khan urges UK climate action amid North Sea drilling pressure
Khan’s push comes as a decision on Jackdaw and Rosebank is expected in the coming weeks and follows a Labour pledge to halt new oil and gas licenses.
Sadiq Khan, London’s mayor, has called on Andy Burnham to commit to stronger climate action while pressure grows over whether the UK will approve more drilling in the North Sea. In comments reported by the Guardian Business, Khan warned that without urgent action “the worst is still to come,” citing the UK’s summer of drought, wildfires, and heatwaves.
The Guardian Business reports that Labour MPs and climate experts are concerned the new prime minister could support renewed oil and gas drilling. It also notes Burnham has been comparatively quiet on climate and environmental concerns since taking office, though he previously said he would be “pragmatic” and that decisions on new drilling would be made “in due course.”
The story says the Labour manifesto includes a commitment to stop issuing new licenses. It adds that two projects, the Jackdaw gasfield and the Rosebank oilfield, had received permission under the Conservatives, but operations were paused after a court challenge by environmental groups.
According to the Guardian Business, the new energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, is expected to decide on Jackdaw and Rosebank after consultations on their emissions conclude in the coming weeks. The outlet also reports that the decision is anticipated as part of ongoing debates over the UK’s reliance on oil and gas.