Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 36
36
Rejected
Paragraph: 202
Given the urgency of the climate crisis and the need to deliver significant cuts in...
Recommendation
Given the urgency of the climate crisis and the need to deliver significant cuts in emissions by 2030 to meet the UK’s current Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, mandatory targets for the reduction of oil and gas operational emissions may well be more appropriate than voluntary targets. We therefore recommend that the Government, the regulator and the industry should review the provisions of the North Sea Transition Deal during the course of the fourth carbon budget (2023–2027), with a view to ensuring that they are still appropriate and sufficient to contribute to the UK’s obligations. If insufficient progress has been made on electrifying platforms and ending methane emissions during that budget period, we recommend that the Government should set mandatory upstream emissions reduction targets.
Government Response Summary
The government will not reopen the North Sea Transition Deal for negotiation but will monitor progress closely to ensure the sector is on track to meet the 2030 target.
Paragraph Reference:
202
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
82. The North Sea Transition Deal is a global exemplar of how a government can work in partnership with the offshore oil and gas industry to achieve a managed energy transition. The Deal already contains ambitious emission reduction targets, which have been agreed with industry. We do not propose reopening this deal for negotiation but Government and the North Sea Transition Authority will be monitoring progress closely including checking that the sector is on track to meet the 2030 target and whether further steps may be necessary. 83. Industry has committed to reducing its emissions 50% by 2030, ensuring a net zero basin by 2050 and supporting our goal of decarbonising the economy.