‘Critical’ climate change transition must be considered in North Sea – Swinney

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

John Swinney has said the “critical transition” on climate change must be considered in the question of further drilling in the North Sea.

The Scottish First Minister was pressed on his thoughts on the approval of new projects in the seas around Scotland.

It comes after The Times reported that industry sources believe Andy Burnham’s Government is ready to “move quickly” to scale up oil and gas production.

Miatta Fahnbulleh, who became Energy Secretary earlier in the week, visited Aberdeen on Thursday.

The city is home to much of the UK’s oil and gas industry.

A decision on whether to approve drilling at the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields is being considered.

Oil rigs anchored in the Cromarty Firth, Invergordon (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Archive)

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Swinney was asked what should happen in the North Sea.

He said: “We’ve obviously got an absolutely critical transition to be made to fulfil our obligations in climate change and it’s one of the considerations that has got to go into decisions made by the UK Government.”

He said the developments had been held up by court challenges and the only way they could proceed is if they are compatible with the journey to net zero.

Asked for his own judgment on the projects, he said: “I think the issues have got to be weighed up.

“The assessment has got to be undertaken.”

The First Minister said the climate compatibility assessment would be made by the UK government, adding: “I don’t know the answer to that question, because we’re not the decision makers on this.”

Earlier in July, newly-elected Aberdeen South MSP Jack Middleton broke with his party by calling for the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil fields to be approved by the UK Government.

Following Ms Fahnbulleh’s visit to Aberdeen, the chief executive of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) said there had been “constructive” talks.

David Whitehouse said that choosing the city for her first visit was an “important signal” and recognised the “central role this city and its workforce continue to play in delivering our energy future”.

For more: Elrisala website and for social networking, you can follow us on Facebook
Source of information and images “independent”“