Shetland oil field extension would ‘damage UK’S credibility’ ahead of COP26

CAMPAIGNERS have warned it would be “completely indefensible” for the UK Government to approve an oil field extension near Shetland.

Siccar Point Energy and Shell want to open the field, containing more than 800 million barrels of oil, which will produce fossil fuels until 2050.

Scotland has pledged to become a carbon neutral nation by 2045.

Campaigners have criticised the move for the Cambo field, which they say would produce and burn enough oil equivalent to 10 times Scotland’s annual emissions.

The Cambo project will not be covered by the UK Government’s “climate checkpoint” which determines if new oil fields are compatible with climate change objectives, as it was originally licensed for exploration in 2001 and 2004.

UK Government ministers will decide whether to approve the development, just months before the UK hosts the global COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s climate campaigner, Caroline Rance, said: “Burning fossil fuels is the key driver of climate breakdown and every extra barrel of oil and gas produced speeds us closer to greater devastation.

“It would be completely indefensible for the UK Government to approve this development and would further damage the UK’S credibility on climate action ahead of the UN climate conference COP26 later this year.”

Jonathan Roger, chief executive of Siccar, said that the project will help the UK’S “energy transition”. He added: “We have proactively taken significant steps to minimise the emissions footprint through its design.”

A spokesman for the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: “We are working hard to drive down demand for fossil fuels but we also know there will continue to be ongoing demand for oil and gas over the coming years.”