Jackdaw latest: Andy Burnham accused of ‘climate vandalism’ after gasfield drilling approved
Zack Polanski said the government had ‘abandoned all credibility in the fight against climate change’
The government is facing intense backlash after ministers pproved plans to begin drilling in the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea after months of speculation over the decision.
Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh gave approval for the project on Wednesday, in a move she said will “support the country’s energy security with homegrown gas this winter”.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said the decision to approve Jackdaw was “climate vandalism”.
He said: “Today’s decision by Labour is a betrayal of all of our futures. Labour has abandoned all credibility in the fight against climate change.”
Kate Norgrove, WWF chief impact officer, said: “This is a disappointing decision and the Government now urgently needs to show that it remains 100% committed to the clean energy transition by rejecting the even more damaging Rosebank oil field.”
Tessa Khan, executive director of campaign group Uplift, said Labour’s climate credibility is “on the line now” with Rosebank becoming the defining test.
She said: “Approving it would see the Government knowingly breach safe climate limits.”
