UK approves Jackdaw gas field after years in limbo

The UK government gave its approval for drilling to begin in the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea on Wednesday following years of legal and political problems that had blocked the controversial fossil fuel venture.

The Labour government justified the move saying it would strengthen the UK's energy security amid rising energy costs due to the US-Israeli war against Iran.

The gas field had previously been approved by the previous Conservative government, but wes held up by a Scottish court that said the approval had failed to consider carbon emissions.

The field lies about 150 miles (240 kilometres) east of Aberdeen in Scotland.

What did the UK government say about the Jackdaw approval?

Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has been under pressure from US President Donald Trump to increase drilling in the North Sea, said the new gas field would "protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter."

"At a time when people are really struggling, it's right that we look in a responsible way at maximising the existing energy reserves we have in Britain that could help," he said.

"We're committed to moving towards renewable energy and reaching net zero by 2050. But even on our ambitious climate path, we'll still require oil and gas as part of our energy needs for decades to come. That's why we're taking a pragmatic approach to the North Sea," Burnham added.

Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said gas could start flowing to British houses and businesses by the end of the month. It is expected that Jackdaw will increase domestic gas production by 6% and run for 11 years.

What has been the reaction to the UK's new gas project?

Shell, which is part of the Adura joint venture along with Norway's Equinor, welcomed the decision.

"Long-term energy projects depend on a competitive and stable investment environment, alongside timely and predictable regulatory decisions," Shell said.

However, the move has also been met with strong criticism. The Green Party called it "climate vandalism," while Greenpeace said the approval showed "the toxic grip fossil fuel lobbyists still hold over our energy policy."

"True pragmatism means severing our reliance on expensive oil and gas that leaves British households broke, supercharges extreme weather, and leaves our energy security at the mercy of petrostates," said the environmental group's Ami McCarthy.

Critics have also questioned whether the new project would indeed have an impact on British gas bills since prices are determined by global energy markets.

In an attempt to show the government's commitment to its climate targets, alongside the Jackdaw approval, it announced the set up of a new Energy Wealth Fund, with an initial £2 billion ($2.7 billion), aimed at channeling oil and gas revenues into funding the transition to cleaner energy.

The UK is targeting net zero emissions by 2050, although this target must be examined under the realities already facing the planet, with a new UN report saying the world is heading for 2.8 degrees of warming, way beyond the 1.5 degrees target set in the Paris Climate Agreement.

It also comes after the UK experienced its hottest ever summer on record, with temperatures hitting previously unheard of 38 degrees in some areas in June, according to the Met Office.

Edited by: Kieran Burke