The British government has approved a major offshore natural gas project in the North Sea, the Jackdaw field off Scotland, despite its climate pledge to halt new fossil fuel extraction. The decision aims to reduce reliance on imported energy amid rising prices due to the war in Iran. Prime Minister Andy Burnham called it a pragmatic step, while environmentalists condemned it as a betrayal ahead of a UN climate summit.
The project, led by Adura—a joint venture between Shell and Equinor—could meet 6% of Britain’s gas needs and heat 1.4 million homes. A new £2 billion renewable energy fund was also announced, funded partly by offshore drilling revenue. The approval marks the first new extraction since the 2024 moratorium, with the Rosebank oil project still under review.
Source: New York Times Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing