Why Labour's Jackdaw gas field decision is not 'drill, baby, drill' climate vandalism

In the fantasy world inhabited by too many people involved in today’s politics, there are two camps when it comes to climate change, carbon emissions and fossil fuels.

First, there’s the ‘Just Stop Oil’ mob, whose zealous commitment to the simplest of solutions is as simple-minded as it sounds; and then there’s the ‘Net Stupid Zero’ brigade, who loudly dismiss scientists’ warnings about climate change even as wildfires, heatwaves, droughts and floods demonstrate the dangers. And, for denizens of this bizarre place, you must be in one camp or the other, there is no middle ground.

Therefore, it was no surprise that the UK government’s long-expected decision to approve the Jackdaw gas field – with permission for the Rosebank oil and gas field and other projects surely now set to follow – was quickly painted by some as mindless ‘drill, baby, drill’ climate vandalism.

READ MORE: Jackdaw gas field approval cannot be distraction from wider crisis facing Aberdeen and the North Sea

People protest outside the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in London over the UK government's decision to approve the Jackdaw gas field. Picture: Brook Mitchell | AFP via Getty Images

Decarbonise the economy

However, on re-entering the real world, we discover that about 85 per cent of UK homes are heated by gas boilers. It is, therefore, a fair bet that at least some of those vociferously complaining about the decision to allow Jackdaw gas to come onstream will be among those who end up burning it. And, of course, it is this act which causes the problem.

The mistake made by the first camp is to try to cut off supply when there is still considerable demand. This seeks to tackle the problem the wrong way round, and doing so risks an economic disaster followed by a public backlash that would set back net zero by years.

Instead, we must first decarbonise the economy – switching to electric cars, heat pumps and the like, better insulating our homes, and creating a world-leading renewable energy industry. This is a strategy that offers genuine hope of a brighter future, in which the UK plays its part in the fight against climate change, stays at the forefront of new technology and returns to the kind of prosperity we once took for granted.

READ MORE: Why Tories' net zero denial is not true Conservatism

Not a game-changer

The government said Jackdaw was expected to increase domestic gas production by around 6 per cent at its peak – “supporting the UK’s gas supply over its lifespan of up to 11 years, boosting our energy security, protecting hundreds of jobs and adding an estimated £2.9 billion to the UK economy”. These are significant economic benefits but it is not a game-changer for the North Sea. It also won’t cut energy bills in a noticeable way but neither will it irrevocably bust the UK's carbon budget.

Andy Burnham stressed the UK was “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,” the Prime Minister said, echoing expert advice. “That’s why we’re taking a pragmatic approach...”

Since 2024, more than £100 billion has been invested in renewable and low-carbon energy. That represents serious progress. And, as it announced the Jackdaw decision, the government said it was creating a new Energy Wealth Fund, with an initial £2bn of funding that would be topped up with North Sea revenues and used to “support the green transition and help reduce energy bills”.

If only this had happened a decade or two ago, we might be in a similar position to Norway, dubbed the world’s ‘greenest’ petrostate.

Net zero is the future. But to get there we must plot a pragmatic course through the very real middle ground, while ignoring the brickbats from misguided souls on the fringes who have found themselves swept up in the thrill of a culture war.