Kemi Badenoch has committed that a Conservative administration would eliminate all net zero mandates for North Sea oil and gas operators and emphasize solely on “maximising extraction” of fossil fuels.
During a speech in Aberdeen on Tuesday, the Tory leader is anticipated to assert that her party will “extract all our oil and gas from the North Sea”, disregarding emissions reduction regulations as a hindrance to producers that inflate household costs.
“The UK is leaving crucial resources untapped while neighboring countries like Norway extract them from the same seabed,” Badenoch stated, adding that it was “ridiculous” to limit drilling in the quest for net zero objectives.
A significant policy transformation
The initiative marks a substantial departure from Conservative climate policy. In 2019, Theresa May’s administration enshrined the 2050 net zero objective in legislation, aligning the UK with the Paris Agreement’s aim of restricting global temperature increases to well below 2C.
However, Badenoch has contended that achieving net zero by 2050 is “unfeasible” and declared she would abolish requirements for oil and gas companies to reduce emissions or invest in carbon capture. This strategy mirrors Donald Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” approach in the US and significantly diverges from the Biden administration’s clean energy subsidies.
It also places the Conservatives at odds with the Labour administration, which has pledged to ban new exploration licenses. A government spokesperson remarked: “Exploring new fields will not reduce bills or enhance energy security, but it will hasten the worsening climate crisis.”
Response from industry and politics
The commitment has sparked divided opinions. Trade association Offshore Energies UK stated that domestic oil and gas production is essential while the nation still depends on fossil fuels. Chief executive David Whitehouse mentioned: “The choice is stark — do we prioritize our domestic energy or forfeit jobs to depend on imports? While we utilize oil and gas, let’s produce it here responsibly, alongside a rapid expansion of renewables.”
Conversely, environmental organizations and opposition parties condemned the initiative. Tessa Khan from campaign group Uplift labeled it “irresponsible” and cautioned that it would mean “more emissions, more environmental destruction, and more subsidies to oil and gas corporations at the country’s expense.”
Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron denounced the action as “irresponsible environmental vandalism,” while Green MP Ellie Chowns stated: “The optimal route for British employment and growth is investment in green sectors, not clinging to outdated technology.”
The broader context
Scientists have indicated that 2024 was the first year global average temperatures surpassed 1.5C above pre-industrial levels — the lower limit set by the Paris Agreement — marking it as the hottest year on record.
The Scottish administration has also urged caution. Gillian Martin, Scotland’s energy secretary, noted that the North Sea basin was “evolving” and a “responsible approach” necessitated planning for a transition to alternative fuels while safeguarding the skilled workforce in the North East.
The current Labour administration highlights “the largest ever investment in offshore wind and three carbon capture and storage hubs” as proof of its commitment to energy security and climate aspirations.
With energy security and climate policy poised to be contentious issues in the upcoming election, Badenoch’s commitment emphasizes the Conservatives’ strategy to portray themselves as the party of fossil fuel expansion — even amid increasing global pressure to expedite the transition to renewables.
