At his first appearance before the Environmental Audit Committee,
Climate Minister Graham Stuart will be quizzed on the
Government’s plans for achieving energy security while continuing
to meet its environmental commitments.
The evidence session follows recent Government announcements on a
new licensing round for exploration and development of North Sea
oil and gas – which researchers have warned could lead to the UK
exceeding its legally binding carbon budget almost twofold – and
on the lifting of a ban on fracking. It also follows the
Chancellor’s fiscal statement on 23 September in which he
signalled the Government’s intention to lift the planning block
on new onshore wind.
EAC has been collecting evidence on the transitional role of oil
and gas exploration and development, and how the UK can phase out
fossil fuel use and subsidies in line with the commitments made
at COP26 in Glasgow to limit temperature increases to 1.5°C.
Among the issues likely to be discussed with the Minister are:
- The Government’s approach to the energy price crisis;
- Policy on lifting the moratorium on fracking;
- The British Energy Security Strategy;
- The North Sea Transition Deal;
- The 33rd Offshore
Oil and Gas Licensing Round launched by the North Sea
Transition Authority on 7 October, and the Government’s
proposed Climate Compatibility
Checkpoint;
- The Government’s views on the Climate Change Committee’s 2022
Progress Report to Parliament.
Witnesses
Wednesday 12 October, 10:00am, Committee Room 16, Palace of
Westminster
From 10:00am
- Rt Hon , Minister of State
(Minister for Climate), Department for Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
- Jonathan Mills, Director General for Energy Supply, BEIS
- Fiona Mettam, Director, Energy, Development and Resilience,
BEIS
