Oil & gas industry support must deliver just transition away from fossil fuels

Environmental campaigners have responded to the Oil & Gas UK Industry Report and their proposals for ‘a recovery plan’ from the coronavirus crisis

Friends of the Earth Scotland Just Transition Campaigner Ryan Morrison commented,

“Any measures that simply seek to return the oil and gas industry back to how it was before are ignoring the fundamental vulnerability of the sector, locking in further disruption from the escalating climate crisis.

“The energy system is failing to deliver for people and planet, and any government support for the industry must be rooted in delivering a Just Transition. This means protecting the workforce, transitioning away from fossil fuels and transforming the energy sector to address wider social issues not just short term strategies to boost shareholder profit.

“The industry claims to have net zero plans but these are about reducing the impact of extracting fossil fuels and not about the much larger impacts of actually burning these billions of barrels of oil and gas. The best zero carbon strategy is a rapid, well-planned conversion of the offshore industry away from fossil fuels and towards renewables.

“Any financial package must not be used to support companies’ continued expansion, continued exploration or development of new fields. The climate emergency demands that these activities must be brought to an end. We must now look to build our green economy, as the only route to a secure and sustainable energy sector.

“As part of a green and just recovery there can be absolutely no weakening of our commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement nor vital safety and environmental regulations.”
ENDS