Burnham’s climate credibility fading over fossil fuels
The Scottish Greens have criticised Prime Minister Andy Burnham for comments to LBC in which he hinted at approving the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields.
They say his suggestion that more oil and gas could help the move to clean energy goes against science and would do irreparable damage to our climate.
The Greens warn that approving new oil and gas projects could put Scotland’s long-term energy security, jobs and climate at risk.
They are also asking who Burnham is listening to, after Donald Trump claimed Burnham told him he would “open up” North Sea oil.
Scottish Greens climate spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said:
“Andy Burnham can see wildfires spreading across the country and accept that the climate is changing, yet he still won’t rule out more oil and gas drilling.
“The short-term thinking is astonishing. No one is saying we can stop using oil and gas overnight. The point is to move from fossil fuels to renewables — and we need to start that transition now.
“Burnham’s claim that more drilling would speed up the shift to clean energy simply doesn’t add up. If climate science, experts and the reality of worsening wildfires aren’t guiding his decisions, people have a right to ask what is.
“After his call with Donald Trump, there are serious questions about whether Labour is listening to Scotland, climate experts and energy workers — or to Trump and the fossil fuel industry.”
Mark added:
“A just transition means investing now in secure, well-paid jobs in renewables and ensuring workers can take their skills with them.
“Encouraging another generation to begin careers in an industry that will be radically smaller by the time they reach the middle of their working lives is absolutely the wrong strategy.
“Andy Burnham must stop denying the facts and start rejecting drilling projects like Rosebank and Jackdaw. He can start the transition needed to lower household builds and give Scotland the energy and climate security we deserve and were promised.
“While any shred of Andy Burnham’s climate credibility left is quickly fading away as he doubles down on fossil fuels, the Scottish Greens will always put workers, communities and our planet before the profits of oil and gas giants.”