Prime Minister Andy Burnham is under mounting pressure from both climate scientists and energy industry leaders as public consultations continue over the approval of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields in the North Sea.
A group of leading climate academics, led by Professor Kevin Anderson from the University of Manchester, sent an open letter urging the prime minister to reject the proposed projects.
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The scientists warned that authorizing the developments would undermine international climate commitments.
“They represent a profound departure from the principles you promoted as Mayor of Greater Manchester,” the letter stated.
The academics highlighted that global greenhouse gas emissions must fall by nearly 8% annually to meet climate targets, while global temperatures continue to rise.
“The scientific evidence has only strengthened since those earlier commitments were made,” said Anderson and his colleagues.
The scientists emphasized that expanding fossil fuel developments cannot be reconciled with existing climate commitments, especially as severe weather events become more frequent.
“Against that backdrop, approving the further development of oil and gas fields cannot be reconciled with the UK’s repeated commitment to honour its international climate obligations,” they stated.
They urged the prime minister to demonstrate political leadership by adhering to scientific evidence rather than short-term political pressures.
“It would suggest that, on climate change, the UK is prepared to step back from obligations it has repeatedly urged other nations to uphold,” the letter said.
The letter concluded with a reminder of how future generations will judge current environmental leadership.
