Updated oil and gas guidance following Supreme Court ruling
The UK government has updated its guidance on oil and gas exploration and production following a Supreme Court ruling.
The ruling, which was handed down in June 2023, found that the government had failed to properly consider the climate change impacts of issuing new oil and gas licenses.
The updated guidance sets out a number of new requirements for companies that are seeking to explore for or produce oil and gas in the UK.
These requirements include:
- Carrying out a climate change impact assessment
- Demonstrating that the project is in line with the UK’s net zero emissions target
- Consulting with local communities and stakeholders
The government has also said that it will not issue any new oil and gas licenses until it has had a chance to review the updated guidance.
The updated guidance is a welcome step forward, but it is important to remember that it is only a first step. The government must now take further action to ensure that the UK’s oil and gas industry is aligned with the country’s climate change commitments.
Here is a more detailed look at the Supreme Court ruling and the updated guidance:
The Supreme Court ruling
The Supreme Court ruling was handed down on June 29, 2023. The case was brought by a group of environmental activists who argued that the government had failed to properly consider the climate change impacts of issuing new oil and gas licenses.
The Supreme Court agreed with the activists, finding that the government had breached its legal duty to consider the climate change impacts of its decisions. The Court also found that the government had failed to properly consult with the public before issuing the licenses.
The updated guidance
The updated guidance was published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on October 30, 2023. The guidance sets out a number of new requirements for companies that are seeking to explore for or produce oil and gas in the UK.
These requirements include:
- Carrying out a climate change impact assessment
- Demonstrating that the project is in line with the UK’s net zero emissions target
- Consulting with local communities and stakeholders
The government has also said that it will not issue any new oil and gas licenses until it has had a chance to review the updated guidance.
The future of oil and gas in the UK
The Supreme Court ruling and the updated guidance are a significant setback for the UK’s oil and gas industry. The industry is already facing a number of challenges, including declining production, rising costs, and increasing competition from renewable energy sources.
The Supreme Court ruling and the updated guidance will make it even more difficult for the industry to operate in the UK. It is likely that the industry will continue to decline in the coming years.
The decline of the oil and gas industry will have a number of implications for the UK. It will lead to job losses, tax revenue losses, and a reduction in the UK’s energy security.
The UK government has said that it is committed to supporting the oil and gas industry, but it is also clear that the industry is facing a number of challenges. It is likely that the industry will continue to decline in the coming years, and the UK government will need to plan for the future.
Updated oil and gas guidance following Supreme Court ruling
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