UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is set to face a request from oil companies to approve a new field he has previously condemned as “climate vandalism.”UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is facing a significant decision regarding the controversial Rosebank oil field, a project developed by Shell Plc and Equinor ASA in the North Sea. His ruling will highlight the government’s challenge in balancing economic growth with its commitment to reducing carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.
The project’s future became more complicated last month when a court ruled that the companies must reapply for environmental permits. The previous approvals were deemed insufficient as they failed to fully account for the impact of burning oil and gas extracted from the field.
Once the companies resubmit their applications in accordance with the government’s updated emissions guidelines, the final decision will rest in Miliband’s hands.During a BBC radio interview on Friday, Miliband emphasized that economic development and environmental responsibility should not be viewed as opposing forces. “The growth agenda and the net zero agenda are absolutely aligned because the biggest economic opportunity of the 21st century is in clean energy,” he stated.His stance on the project has evolved since his time in opposition.
In March 2023, Miliband strongly criticized the Rosebank project on social media, describing it as a “colossal waste of taxpayer money and climate vandalism.” However, on Friday, he acknowledged the distinction between his previous role and his current responsibilities in government. “I have different responsibilities as Secretary of State than I had when I was an opposition spokesperson,” he explained. “We’re going to design a fair and objective process, and all proposals will be considered under that process.”Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer signaled that his government would not intervene to block oil and gas projects that have already been granted exploration licenses.
Speaking on Thursday, he reiterated that the government would not interfere with ongoing licensing agreements.Equinor has defended the Rosebank project, emphasizing its potential economic benefits. According to the company, the development would generate £6.6 billion ($8.2 billion) in direct investment for the UK and create 2,000 jobs during the construction phase.
Once operational, the field is expected to support 525 full-time jobs over its lifetime.As the government works to balance its economic and environmental commitments, Miliband’s decision on Rosebank will be closely watched by both industry stakeholders and climate advocates.
