Climate and faith groups call on first minister to oppose new North Sea drilling

A group of environmental and faith-based organisations has written to the first minister urging him to take “a robust stance against new oil and gas” when the government publishes its long-awaited Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan.

The plan, which is thought to be imminent, will set out how the Scottish Government aims to work alongside the private sector to transform the energy mix with the ultimate aim of achieving net zero by 2045.

The government had initially pledged that, as part of the overall plan, 50 per cent of the energy used for Scotland’s heat, transport and electricity would come from renewable sources by 2030, but that interim target was scrapped by net zero secretary Mairi McAllan in April.

Although the licensing of oil and gas exploration is reserved to Westminster, former first minister Nicola Sturgeon said last year that the Scottish Government was opposed to any further drilling in Scottish waters.

Earlier this year John Swinney, who succeeded Humza Yousaf as first minister in May, indicated that that stance was softening, saying that applications for drilling licences should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

He said the sector would be required to “contribute to the transition to net zero” and that he wanted his government to “work closely and carefully with the oil and gas sector to ensure its sustainability”.

Friends of the Earth, Christian Aid, Oxfam and the RSPB are among 23 organisations that have now written to Swinney saying they are “extremely concerned” that the Scottish Government will back the granting of new licences so long as they pass what they termed "currently undefined climate and energy security tests".

In their joint letter, they say it is “clear that no new licences could pass a credible climate assessment” and ask the government to focus on the “real priority” of ensuring that the workers who are dependent on the industry benefit from the shift to renewable energy.

“It is vital that the Scottish and UK governments come together to agree a coherent, credible plan to transition the North Sea,” they say.

“To show that it is serious about climate change and ready to play its part in delivering a managed and fair transition, in Scotland and globally, the Scottish Government must take a robust stance against new oil and gas in its Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, on the basis that new licences and developments are incompatible with a safe climate, will not improve our energy security, protect workers and jobs, or lower the cost of energy bills,” the letter states.

Tessa Khan, executive director of lobbying organisation Uplift and one of the letter’s signatories, said it would be a “huge mistake” for the Scottish Government to endorse further licensing, adding that previous rounds have “done nothing to lower energy bills or provide energy security for the UK”.

“Rather than protecting the financial interests of profiteering oil and gas companies the Scottish Government should support investment in clean energy and in the sectors that will provide secure jobs for decades to come,” she said.

Friends of the Earth Scotland climate campaigner Alex Lee added that it would be “appalling” if the Scottish Government’s energy plan includes “yet more of the oil and gas that is unaffordable to people and the planet”.

“Standing up to oil companies and setting an end date for oil and gas extraction is an essential part of planning for a just transition for workers and communities currently dependent on the industry,” they said.

“It will provide certainty for the sector, making it clear that investing in renewables is the only choice for our energy future, and enabling workforce planning.”

Ahead of the general election the Labour Party said it would implement a ban on new drilling licences should it come to power.

Last month energy secretary Ed Miliband confirmed that the government would follow through on the pledge, but his department said that licences that have already been issued – whether drilling has begun or not – would not be revoked.

A spokesperson said: “We will not issue new licences to explore new fields. We will also not revoke existing oil and gas licences and will manage existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan.”