London Mayor Sadiq Khan Urges UK Government to Reinforce Climate Action Amid North Sea Drilling Debate

Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s administration to reaffirm the United Kingdom’s commitment to net-zero emissions and curb reliance on oil and gas. In a Guardian op-ed, Khan warned that the country’s summer of drought, wildfires and heatwaves underscores the urgency of “revamped climate action.” He noted that a decision on additional North Sea drilling licences is expected in the coming weeks and that Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh will soon decide on the pending Jackdaw gasfield and Rosebank oilfield projects.

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Since taking office in 2016, Khan has positioned London as a climate-leader, declaring a climate emergency and expanding the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to become the world’s largest clean-air zone. Those policies have attracted attacks from climate-deniers, including a domestic-terror incident that destroyed a ULEZ camera.

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• More than 640,000 trees have been planted across London.

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• Over 2,000 football-pitch-equivalent hectares of green space have been added.

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• London now operates the highest number of zero-emission buses in Europe and hosts roughly one-third of the UK’s electric-vehicle charging points.

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• City-wide carbon emissions have fallen by about a quarter since Khan became mayor.

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Khan’s op-ed stresses that “national governments across the globe must step up and meet the gravity of this moment with renewed focus, funding, and resolve.” He argues that without urgent action, the worst impacts of climate change remain ahead.

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Burnham, former mayor of Greater Manchester, has offered only a vague “pragmatic” stance on oil and gas, saying decisions on new drilling will be made “in due course.”

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Energy Secretary Fahnbulleh is slated to finalize emissions consultations before ruling on the Jackdaw and Rosebank projects.

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Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch contends that additional North Sea drilling could resolve the UK’s energy crisis.

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Labour MPs and climate experts warn that any move toward expanded drilling would contradict the Labour manifesto’s pledge to halt new licences and could alienate voters experiencing extreme weather.

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• “National governments across the globe must step up and meet the gravity of this moment with renewed focus, funding, and resolve,” — Sadiq Khan

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• “My fear is that – without urgent action – the worst is still to come,” — Sadiq Khan

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A governmental decision on further North Sea drilling licences is expected in the coming weeks. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh will issue rulings on the Jackdaw gasfield and Rosebank oilfield after completing emissions assessments.

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