Cross-Party Group Urges Rishi Sunak to Reconsider Oil and Gas Extraction Plans amid Climate Crisis

Despite international pledges to curtail fossil fuel reliance, Chancellor Sunak has proceeded with the licensing of new extraction projects

A coalition of MPs and peers, spanning multiple political affiliations, has issued a fervent plea to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, urging a reversal of his stance on oil and gas extraction in a bid to intensify efforts to combat the climate crisis. The group, comprised of 50 politicians, including three Conservatives, directed their appeal to the Prime Minister, advocating for a restoration of the UK's global leadership role in climate action. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the cross-party collective implored for an immediate cessation of licensing for new oil and gas fields, the appointment of a climate envoy, and staunch support for the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance. This call to action comes on the heels of the COP28 UN climate summit's commitment by all participating nations to transition away from fossil fuels, albeit without a concrete timetable for implementation.

Despite international pledges to curtail fossil fuel reliance, Chancellor Sunak has proceeded with the licensing of new extraction projects in the North Sea, prompting condemnation from environmental advocates and political figures alike. Caroline Lucas, a Green Party MP and signatory to the letter, lamented the government's backtracking on erstwhile progressive climate policies, highlighting recent approvals for expansive oilfield developments as a betrayal of environmental promises. The Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, comprising nations such as France, Spain, Denmark, and Ireland, along with sub-national entities like Wales, stands as a testament to global commitment towards phasing out fossil fuel production. However, criticism has been levied against some member states, notably Denmark, for permitting limited licensing and setting a distant 2050 deadline for production cessation.