Government approves Jackdaw – Friends of the Earth reaction

Responding to reports that the government will tomorrow (Wednesday) approve plans to develop the controversial Jackdaw North Sea gas field, climate campaigner for Friends of the Earth, Danny Gross, said:

"Is the Prime Minister living in a parallel universe? One where we haven't just endured our hottest summer on record, with droughts, wildfires and, in all likelihood, the most heat-related deaths on record? And where the UN hasn't warned that we're on the brink of breaching the all-important 1.5 degree warming limit?

"Against this backdrop, there's nothing that justifies giving the go-ahead to a colossal new fossil fuel project in North Sea. The disconnect is absolutely maddening.

"Jackdaw won't make a jot of difference to our energy bills, but it will fuel the climate chaos already unfurling in front of us. The route to lower bills and true energy security lies in the UK's vast capacity for cheap, homegrown renewable power and street-by-street home insulation programmes.

"This decision makes Shell and its shareholders richer at the expense of ordinary people's lives - a move that sees the Prime Minister turning his back on the very people he claims to be on the side of. If he really wants to build a better, fairer Britain, he must transition the country away from expensive, polluting fossil fuels while ensuring no one gets left behind - including workers in the oil and gas industry."

"We can't keep approving projects that threaten our carbon budgets and deepen the climate crisis. With decisions on Rosebank, Heathrow and a growing number of energy-hungry data centres also looming, Andy Burnham's green credentials are firmly on the line."

ENDS