BURNHAM URGED TO BLOCK NORTH SEA OIL DRILLING APPROVALS

Leading climate scientists have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to reject new drilling in the North Sea, citing commitments he made whilst mayor of Greater Manchester. The letter, signed by Prof Kevin Anderson and scientists from the Tyndall Centre at the School of Engineering at the University of Manchester, expresses concern over reports suggesting the government intends to approve the Jackdaw and Rosebank oilfields. The scientists said approval would represent "a profound departure from the principles you promoted as Mayor of Greater Manchester".

The Jackdaw and Rosebank oilfields were approved under the previous Conservative government but subsequently placed on hold following legal action. A court ruling determined that a more detailed assessment of environmental impact was required to account for the effect on the climate of burning any fossil fuels extracted from these fields. The scientists argued that approving the developments would send a signal globally that the UK was backtracking on its international climate commitments. Labour made a manifesto promise that no new oil and gas licences would be issued, though Jackdaw and Rosebank were already within the system at the time of the last general election.

The letter reflects broader debate over the government's approach to North Sea development. Reports over the weekend suggested the government was preparing to give approval to the controversial new drilling. The scientists' intervention underscores the tension between the government's stated climate objectives and decisions regarding existing oilfield approvals.