Burnham must spurn zealots on both sides of climate debate and embrace pragmatism over North Sea oil

Andy Burnham should back the North Sea oil and gas industry, while working to decarbonise Britain (Picture: Dan Kitwood) | Getty Images

There are some, on both sides of the argument, who seek to paint the oil and gas industry and net zero as combatants in a fight to the death. In order for one to win, the other must lose. This supposed zero-sum game may be simplistic, but then that’s part of the appeal in a time when vacuous ‘culture war’ approaches to serious issues have become part of our national zeitgeist.

Real life, however, is almost always more complicated. The UK needs oil and gas for its jobs, tax revenues, increased energy security and expertise in marine engineering that is so vital to the burgeoning offshore renewables industry.

It also needs to continue moving along the path towards net zero because climate change is not a “hoax” or some bizarre conspiracy involving thousands of scientists around the world. It is reality, plain and simple – with the recent spate of wildfires providing a reminder that our climate is changing. There are a myriad of other signs, from plants flowering early in Scottish gardens to the US National Glacier Park running out of glaciers.

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Highly effective

Furthermore, it is crystal clear that we are entering a new industrial age in which electricity is the main source of power. Therefore, to move towards net zero is to move towards the future.

As we have previously argued, Norway offers an example of how to cut carbon emissions while benefiting from the wealth created by oil and gas. Some see this as hypocritical, but it is not – it is pragmatic and also, most importantly, highly effective with Norway achieving world-leading progress on net zero.

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Oslo understands these two ‘combatants’ are actually uneasy allies. There are costs associated with any major economic transition, and governments need fossil fuel revenues to help businesses and households decarbonise and modernise.

For too long, politicians have talked a good game on climate change and set impressive-sounding targets that have achieved little. As Andy Burnham’s government faces big decisions over the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields, he should back North Sea oil and gas while reiterating the need to tackle humanity’s greatest ever challenge, climate change.