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industry & Government news

DIGEST

BUSINESS SECRETARY KWASI KWARTENG
UK ADVISERS URGE TOUGHER ourselves from the kind of price
volatility we are seeing is to pursue
net zero,” says Stark. “It’s a winning
CLIMATE TESTS ON NEW OIL strategy for the climate; it’s also a very
good strategy for energy security.”
In a letter to the UK Business
AND GAS PROJECTS Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, the CCC
said there should be a “presumption
against exploration” and that ending
new exploration would send a “clear
ENDING NEW UK oil and gas are “naive” because it will take too long signal” the UK is committed to the goal
production is credible and would send and won’t change what consumers pay of keeping the world’s temperature
a clear signal to the world that the because prices are set internationally. below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
country is serious about meeting global “The very best way to shelter “We think an end to UK production is
temperature goals, according to the UK credible,” says Stark.
government’s climate advisers. However, the advisers said they
But the Climate Change Committee couldn’t tell the government to stop
(CCC) stopped short of urging an end approving new fields because the
to issuing new oil and gas exploration impact of such a move on global oil and
licences, calling instead for a gas production was too unclear and
tightening of proposed government there are energy security and job issues
tests to decide whether new projects that are beyond the CCC’s remit which
are compatible with climate targets, are for politicians to consider.
reports New Scientist. The Department for Business,
The independent group also said it Energy and Industrial Strategy has
wanted to “bust the myth” that drilling proposed a series of tests for future oil
for more oil and gas was the answer to and gas licensing, called the climate
the current shock of high energy prices, compatibility checkpoint, for which
as some have suggested. Chris Stark, the a government consultation ended in
Chief Executive of the CCC, said those CHRIS STARK, THE CHIEF February. These tests are welcome but
advocating ramping up UK production EXECUTIVE OF THE CCC need to be stronger, the letter said.

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