Asked by: Lord Bishop of Norwich (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what their policy is for licensed but undeveloped sites for offshore oil and gas drilling, and whether they plan to implement a moratorium on issuing of development consents for those sites.
Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Oil and gas will continue to be a key component of Britain’s energy mix. The Government is taking urgent steps to update guidance for industry in response to the Supreme Court’s Finch judgment, which requires developers to assess end use greenhouse gas emissions in Environmental Impact Assessments for new oil and gas projects. Meanwhile, we are deferring the assessment of environmental statements for development consents for offshore oil and gas projects (which have already secured a licence). The Government intends to consult on new guidance shortly, providing clarity to industry, and publish in Spring 2025, when assessments of environmental statements will resume.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Norwich (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the Climate Compatibility Checkpoint, and what plans they have to revise it.
Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Climate Compatibility Checkpoint was developed under a previous administration and was designed to run in advance of new oil and gas licensing rounds. There are currently no new licensing rounds planned, and we will consult later this year on the implementation of our manifesto position not to issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields.
The Government’s priority is a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea, in line with our climate and legal obligations.