Recent Development:
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak supports new fossil fuel drilling off Britain’s coast for energy independence.
North Sea Transition Authority (NTSA) to award over 100 new licences, starting in autumn.
Concerns arise over environmental impact and climate change amid global efforts.
History of North Sea Drilling:
1958 Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf established countries' rights over continental shelves, including North Sea.
A continental shelf is a portion of a continent that is submerged under an area of relatively shallow water, known as a shelf sea
U.K.'s Continental Shelf Act in 1964 followed the convention, granting jurisdiction over oil and gas resources near its coast.
British Petroleum (BP) received the first exploration licence in 1964, leading to discoveries in North Sea.
Production peaked in 1999, declined significantly by 2022.
Issues with Offshore Drilling:
Offshore drilling poses risks to workers, marine life, and waters, as stated by Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC).
Worsens climate change, warms oceans, raises sea levels, threatens marine biodiversity.
Carbon pollution leads to acidic waters, harming coral reefs, shellfish, and marine ecosystems.
Climate Commitments and Concerns:
U.K.'s Climate Change Committee (CCC) criticized inadequate climate change preparation in the second National Adaptation Programme.
U.K.'s climate action not fully consistent with the Paris Agreement according to the Climate Action Tracker.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term targets fall short of global effort to combat climate change.
Licensing new oil and gas extraction plans conflicts with the 1.5°C temperature rise limit.
COMMENTS