The SNP has urged the UK government
to support their amendment to the Offshore Petroleum Licensing
Bill, which would provide an evidence-based assessment to all new
licences on a case-by-case basis.
The Bill currently fails to outline
a clear transition away from fossil fuels as per the agreed
resolution at COP28, nor fully acknowledge the climate emergency
or the demand for a reduction in domestic demand.
Commenting, the SNP's Energy
Security and Net Zero spokesperson, said:
"The UK government's Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill does
not lower fuel bills, deliver energy security or support a
just transition to secure jobs for generations to come. And it
certainly doesn’t fight climate change.
"Oil and gas
will absolutely be required for many years to come
but new licenses must only be granted by the UK
government after a robust, evidence-based
assessment.
“Granting licences should never be
a cheap political stunt by a Prime Minster desperate to hold on
to power.
“It is only by following the
evidence will we deliver cheaper energy bills,
energy security and job security.
"The Bill must outline in no
uncertain terms how the UK will transition away from fossil fuels
as per the agreed resolution at COP 28, and fully acknowledge the
climate emergency that the planet is facing.
"Scotland is an energy rich country
with the potential to be a powerhouse in the green and renewable
sector. However, with Westminster continuing to undermine our
progress, our long-term energy security is in
jeopardy.
"Scotland has the energy, we just
need the power."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
That this House, while
acknowledging the role of the exploitation of fossil fuels in
ensuring a just transition, and noting that the independent
Committee on Climate Change is clear that in reaching net zero by
2050 oil and gas will still be required, declines to give a
Second Reading to the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill because
the Bill does not provide an evidence-based assessment of all
licences on a case-by-case basis based on an ability to
simultaneously deliver cheaper energy bills, energy security, job
security, net zero commitments and concurrent investment in
renewable energy projects, fails to outline a transition away
from fossil fuels as per the agreed resolution at COP28, does not
acknowledge the climate emergency and does not seek to address
the necessity for a reduction in domestic demand.
