Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 31
31
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 176
During this transition the UK must nevertheless continue to be able to access oil and...
Conclusion
During this transition the UK must nevertheless continue to be able to access oil and gas to ensure that the country can continue to heat its homes, fuel its transport and generate a declining proportion of power. We have found consensus on the overarching need to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels, and the recommendations of this report reflect that. We have different views on the speed with which domestic oil and gas production may need to be phased out and on whether continued oil and gas licensing in the UK is necessary to ensure the country’s energy security, given the current geopolitical tensions. In theory, the UK’s domestic carbon budgets and its Nationally Determined Contribution targets could still be met if some new UK fields were licensed and developed. We also note that the IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2022 reiterates that new supplies create a ‘clear risk’ to the 1.5°C target.
Government Response Summary
The Government agrees that during the transition the UK must nevertheless continue to be able to access oil and gas to ensure that the country can continue to heat its homes, fuel its transport and generate a declining proportion of power.
Paragraph Reference:
176
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government agrees that during the transition the UK must nevertheless continue to be able to access oil and gas to ensure that the country can continue to heat its homes, fuel its transport and generate a declining proportion of power. The British Energy Security Strategy sets out how the UK will increase its energy security and accelerate the transition.