The Tory party is desperately trying to keep green activists on side while announcing annual oil and gas licensing.
In a new government release on the continued use of fossil fuels, Rishi Sunak’s office made sure to lead on “further steps” being taken to reach carbon “net zero.” In fact, “net zero” was mentioned 14 times in the document—that is, once every 75 words.
But those to whom the messaging is supposed to appeal have already made it clear that they believe any reliance on fossil fuels is unacceptable. Responding to the approval of new oil and gas licenses earlier this year, and to a supposed reversal of net zero policies, one Greenpeace UK campaigner said:
Rishi Sunak has proven once and for all that he puts the profits of oil companies above everyday people. We know that relying on fossil fuels is terrible for our energy security, the cost of living, and the climate.
Yet Sunak still appears adamant about winning over this crowd, writing this week:
I am proud that the UK is a world leader in reducing emissions and of our new plan to transition to net zero without adding undue burdens on households and securing the country’s long-term interest.
Domestic energy will play a crucial role in the transition to net zero, supporting jobs and economic growth, while also protecting us from the volatility of international markets and diversifying our energy sources. The clarity and certainty that our new legislation will provide will help get the country on the right path for the future.
Using another much-repeated trope from the most recent Tory administrations, the prime minister added that using natural resources from the North Sea will lessen Britain’s dependence on imports from “hostile foreign regimes such as Russia.”
These new licencing opportunities are set to be announced in the King’s Speech on Tuesday and are likely to be opposed by the Labour benches.
