Nicola Sturgeon at COP27: We can’t go on with fossil fuels

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told an event at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh that the world must “move away” from oil and gas extraction.

Speaking at a fringe event hosted by the New York Times, Sturgeon was asked about the future of the North Sea.

She said: “We absolutely cannot go on with unlimited extraction of fossil fuels. I make this point in Scotland, and because of the history of Scotland with oil and gas, it is not uncontroversial at times.

“I don’t think we can just go on with fossil fuels – we need to move away.”

The first minister, who has received some criticism for attending the climate summit in Egypt, said the was concerned about “trust and faith” in the ability of countries to deliver on pledges to tackle the crisis.

She said: “I think there are real issues about trust and faith. There is a concern that we’re not talking enough at this COP about the need to reduce emissions. That must be the priority, but around some of the other issues – climate finance, the $100bn a year still has not been delivered, that erodes trust and faith.

“We have a situation, even now, where the Global South still feel they’re having to come and plead with the rich countries to acknowledge, let alone address, the issue of loss and damage.

“I think that trust and faith is on the line here in Egypt over the next couple of weeks…”