UK oil and gas group pushes for inclusion in net-zero energy transition

ABERDEEN - The leading representative for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry has welcomed the Committee on Climate Change report to parliament today, calling for energy communities like the North East of Scotland and the East of England to be put at the heart of plans to transition to a lower carbon future.

OGUK recently set out industry commitments to halve operational emissions in the next decade, with a target of 90 percent reductions by 2040. The sector was one of the first to respond to the Committee on Climate Change report in May last year which called for governments to reach net zero emissions by 2050 in the UK and 2045 in Scotland, with its Roadmap 2035: a blueprint for net zero.

With formal talks now underway on a transformational sector deal, the industry body today said a green recovery is an opportunity to accelerate critical solutions including carbon capture usage and storage, and hydrogen, while the sector should continue to meet as much of the UK’s oil and gas needs from domestic resources.

OGUK Chief Executive Deirdre Michie said “the Committee on Climate Change report offers a measured and thoughtful view on how we can stimulate a truly fair transition towards a lower carbon future.”

“We can’t afford for communities like the North East of Scotland or the East of England to be left behind. We urgently need a green recovery which enables our industry to meet as much of the UK’s oil and gas demand from domestic resources while developing the critical solutions which will help reduce emissions in other industries and wider society. This is the fair, sustainable and inclusive transition which will allow the UK to meet its climate ambitions in a way which supports jobs, skills and energy communities.”