Sadiq Khan calls on Andy Burnham to commit to climate action as pressure grows over North Sea oil
Summary
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has urged the UK government and Prime Minister Andy Burnham to strengthen climate action and reduce dependence on oil and gas amid extreme weather events like heatwaves and wildfires. There is concern that the government may support new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, despite the Labour party’s previous pledge to stop new licences.Key Facts
- Sadiq Khan called for renewed climate efforts and cutting reliance on fossil fuels during a summer of drought and heatwaves in the UK.
- Andy Burnham, the new prime minister, has not clearly stated his position on new oil and gas drilling but described his approach as “pragmatic.”
- The Labour party’s manifesto promises to stop new oil and gas licences, but decisions on projects like Jackdaw gasfield and Rosebank oilfield are still pending.
- These projects were previously allowed under the Conservative government but halted after legal challenges from environmental groups.
- Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh will decide on these drilling projects soon, following consultations on their emissions.
- Some Labour MPs worry support for drilling could upset voters facing extreme weather worsened by fossil fuel use.
- Tory leader Kemi Badenoch supports new North Sea drilling as a solution to the UK’s energy crisis, but some economists disagree and warn it could harm economic growth and climate goals.
- Sadiq Khan described the current climate as an “era of extremes” and warned of political divisions on climate issues in the UK.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
