UK Plans New North Sea Drilling Despite Emissions Ruling

Ed Miliband, the UK's Energy Secretary, is preparing to change government rules on greenhouse gas emissions, effectively allowing the development of two controversial North Sea oil and gas fields—Rosebank and Jackdaw—that were previously blocked by courts for not properly accounting for emissions from burning the extracted fuels. Despite previously calling the Rosebank project 'climate vandalism,' Miliband is set to launch a consultation on new guidance that will remove legal obstacles and permit companies to resubmit applications for these projects. The move follows a Scottish court ruling that found the government's earlier approvals unlawful due to insufficient consideration of greenhouse gas emissions beyond production. Energy Minister Michael Shanks described the new guidance as providing clarity for the North Sea oil and gas industry and marking progress in assessing the full impacts of extraction. The government’s planned changes may also open the door for other stalled fossil fuel projects, including the Cambo oil field, and have drawn criticism from environmental groups but support from some Labour leaders, suggesting a shift in the party’s stance amid political pressures. The decisions are expected to balance environmental impact assessments with economic considerations and are not anticipated to be finalized until autumn at the earliest.