Offshore Oil and Gas: Venting and Flaring
Debate between Lord Wilson of Sedgefield and Baroness Hayman
Baroness Hayman (CB)
My Lords, in begging leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, I declare my interest as a director and past chair of Peers for the Planet.
Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Wilson of Sedgefield) (Lab)
In 2020 the UK committed to the World Bank zero routine flaring by 2030 initiative to end routine flaring and venting by 2030. The UK’s oil and gas sector has one of the lowest upstream methane emission intensities globally, but the North Sea contains a lot of ageing infrastructure, including much with only a short production life remaining. However, the approach the UK has been taking, with support from government and regulators, means that the industry is on track to meet its ambitious emissions reduction targets.
Baroness Hayman (CB)
I am grateful to the noble Lord for that Answer and recognise that some limited progress has been made, but it really is too little, and 2030 is too far ahead, given that methane is one of the most damaging, dangerous and fast-acting greenhouse gases. The practice of venting and flaring in non-emergency situations is both wasteful and damaging to the environment. We were very near to achieving a ban in the Bill that was going through Parliament when the general election was called. The Labour Front Bench at that time supported amendments for a ban. Why do we have to wait longer? Would this not be a very good initiative for the Prime Minister to announce when he goes to COP 30 next month?
Social Energy Tariff
Debate between Lord Wilson of Sedgefield and Baroness Hayman
Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for that question. We had a comprehensive review involving Ofgem in December to discuss this issue. We know that too much of the burden of the bill is placed on standing charges. We are committed to lowering the costs of standing charges and have worked constructively with the regulator, Ofgem, on this issue.
Baroness Hayman (CB)
My Lords, I declare my interest as a director of Peers for the Planet. Does not the conversation that has just gone around the House illustrate clearly that there are a number of serious issues with the cost of electricity that need to be looked at in a comprehensive way? As has been said, we need to look at decoupling it from gas prices, the tariffs and the effect of zonal pricing—if it comes in, and many people have suggested it. When are the Government going to look at all those issues in the round? Is that something the REMA review will do, and when will we hear the results of it?
Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)
We will hear from the REMA review in due course. We take this issue very seriously and we will be looking at all the factors the noble Baroness has mentioned. When we have reached a conclusion, we will come back to the House.