The Environmental Audit Committee today calls on the Government
to set out what action it is taking to encourage an end to oil
and gas exploration in the Arctic.
In November 2018, the Committee’s wide-ranging
report, The Changing
Arctic, concluded that the UK’s support
for exploitation of oil and gas reserves in the Arctic is
incompatible with its international commitments, including the
2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement and the UN Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). It recommended that the Government
should reconsider its encouragement to UK businesses to explore
oil and gas opportunities in the region.
The Government’s response to the report, published today, fails
to commit to disincentivise companies from undertaking oil and
gas exploration in the Arctic, despite such efforts by others
including the Canadian Government.
The Chair of the Committee, MP, has written to Foreign
Office Minister Sir to press this issue and others
raised in the Government’s response, including:
- The
Government’s rejection of the Committee’s conclusion that it
encourages oil and gas exploration in the Arctic. The letter
quotes the UK Arctic Strategy, indicating a tacit acceptance by
Government of such activity.
- The
Government’s support for Arctic research and its failure to
provide any reassurance that will continue to support Arctic
research post-2020 once the Horizon process has come to an end.
The letter requests assurances about longer term support.
- The
Government’s failure to explain how it is looking to address the
issue of plastic pollution in the Arctic specifically. The letter
calls for a timeline for the publication of the consultation on
the plastic bottle Deposit Return Scheme as soon as soon as
possible.
- The
Government’s action to promote the UN Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) in the Arctic in the short term.
Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, MP, said:
“The thawing of Arctic ice is leading to ocean acidification,
pollution and is derailing global climate goals. The UN’s report
that Arctic winter temperatures will rise 3-5°C by 2050, even if
the Paris climate commitments are met, is a shocking wakeup call
for Government.
“Despite this, Ministers continue to tacitly encourage highly
damaging oil and gas exploration in the Arctic. UK support for
Arctic research post-2020 is in doubt and there is no clarity on
what measures the Government is taking to tackle plastic
pollution.
“Action cannot wait. We need reassurances from the Minister
that we will protect the fragile Arctic environment.”
More details about the inquiry, including the original report,
can be found here.
The Government’s response to the report and the Chair’s letter to
Sir are attached to this email.
