Plans for a controversial oilfield off the coast of Shetland have been given the green light.
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has granted development and production consent for Rosebank, the largest untapped oilfield in the UK.
Rosebank is projected to produce 300 million barrels of oil, most of which would likely be exported to the global market.
First Minister Humza Yousaf this morning said while he recognises the “significant contribution the oil and gas sector makes to Scotland”, he was “disappointed” by the plans.
He said on X (formerly Twitter): “Our future is not in unlimited oil & gas extraction. It is in accelerating our just transition to renewables.
“New oil & gas fields being approved risk the pace of that transition.
“In the face of a climate catastrophe, the UK Government have dropped their green pledges & committed to approving 100 new oil & gas licences.
“That isn’t climate leadership. It is climate denial.
“Scotland will remain on the right side of history & demonstrate climate leadership.”
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon backs criticism from Greens
Nicola Sturgeon today confirmed her stance on Rosebank – having avoided the issue while in post as first minister.
She shared a post from Green party co-leader Caroline Lucas on X, which branded the project “the greatest act of environmental vandalism in my lifetime, causing emissions equal to 28 lowest income countries, busting #climate targets & doing nothing for energy security since vast majority is for export #climatecriminals”.
Ms Sturgeon added: “Agree with @CarolineLucas. Also, by consuming scarce resources that could be going to renewables, it risks slowing the green transition and the jobs that come from it.
“That’s not in interests of those who work in oil & gas – they need that transition to happen at pace #rosebank”
The Scottish Greens branded the plans “an utter catastrophe for our climate and the worst possible choice at the worst possible time” that show ” total contempt for our environment and for future generations.”
Mark Ruskell MSP said: “Rishi Sunak is leaving a long and shameful legacy that will last well beyond his time in Downing Street.
“There is a responsibility on all parties to stand in firm opposition to this appalling decision.
“If we want to leave any kind of sustainable future then we badly need to change course.”
Local Tory politicians praise project
Meanwhile, Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid described the permissions as “fantastic news”.
He said: “There is an obvious advantage to having as much of our own domestic oil and gas as possible from fields like Rosebank which reduces our reliance on imports that would otherwise come at a far higher carbon cost.
“But this news also provides increased certainty that the skills we need to deliver the energy transition will be maintained in the short-term and transferred into renewable and low carbon energy sources in the longer term.”
Andrew Bowie, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP, added: “The regulator’s decision is a big step towards helping secure the UK’s domestic energy supply.
“It makes perfect sense for consumers facing high energy bills, the economy and our own journey towards net zero.
“The UK still relies heavily on imports of oil and gas rather than domestic production, resulting in higher emissions, less regulatory oversight, and the issue of where that supply comes from.”
“So long as that domestic demand persists, we need to strike the right balance between fossil fuels and renewable energy sources.”
An NSTA spokesman said: “We have today approved the Rosebank Field Development Plan which allows the owners to proceed with their project.
“The FDP is awarded in accordance with our published guidance and taking net zero considerations into account throughout the project’s lifecycle.”
Alex Armitage: It’s not climate ‘change’, it’s a climate breakdown – and more oil won’t help
