CCC issue Cambo warning
The UK Climate Change Committee has warned that the case for approving the vast Cambo oil field off the coast of Shetland has not been made.
Despite the warnings from the IPCC report on climate breakdown and warning from the UN Secretary General, the UK Government remains committed to expanding oil and gas production in the North sea and is set to approve the opening of the Cambo field too.
Speaking to MSPs of Holyrood’s net zero committee, CCC member Lord Deben said: “The justification for any new oil and gas exploration or production has to be very, very, very strong and I cannot say that I have so far seen any such case.”
He added that opening Cambo “would send a message to the rest of the world that such a development is acceptable.”
Responding, Scottish Greens climate spokesperson Mark Ruskell said: “The climate science is clear, and so are the UK Government’s advisors. Cambo cannot go ahead, and if his government is to have any shred of credibility going into the COP26 climate summit, it’s time Boris Johnson listened to his Committee on Climate Change, instead of the fossil fuel industry.”
CCC chief executive Chris Stark told MSPs the new term of parliament would be “absolutely critical” in lowering Scotland’s climate emissions and meeting targets, adding that targeted investment in a green recovery would be a “significant boon” to Scotland’s economy.
Responding, Mark Ruskell said: “Action to tackle the climate crisis is urgently needed, and the cooperation deal struck between the Scottish Greens and government speeds up progress in the very areas identified by Chris Stark – heating, transport and energy. We look forward to making progress as green take part in these kind of decisions for the first time anywhere in the UK.”