On Wednesday the 23rd July we handed in a letter at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to ask Sir Keir Starmer to stop the Rosebank oil field. This is the same day the International Court of Justice made a historic announcement that governments have a binding legal duty to protect our climate by limiting carbon emissions.
If you haven’t heard of Rosebank, it is the largest undeveloped oil field in the UK, 80 miles off the Shetland coast. Approving Rosebank would directly contradict the government’s climate and net zero goals. Campaigners estimate that burning Rosebank’s oil and gas would produce more CO2 than the 28 poorest countries in a year, a staggering contribution to global warming.
This comes at a time when the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat, it’s already here. The UK just experienced the hottest spring on record and driest in 50 years, summer in turn has been marked by heatwaves, so we don’t need to look abroad to see the impacts.
But if we do look globally then we see the truly devastating events. Just this month, 65 people died in a single day due to flooding in Pakistan and Iran has seen extreme heat of 50 degrees and severe drought. Sadly, these are just a few examples.
Some will argue that we still need oil and gas during the transition to renewables. However, 90% of Rosebank’s oil is expected to be exported, with profits going to Equinor, a Norwegian state-owned company, not to the British public.
The Stop Rosebank campaign recently won a major legal victory where the court ruled the government’s approval of Rosebank unlawful. Now, the government is remaking their decision with an oil & gas consultation. The consultation is ongoing right now, that’s why this is the time to act. A final decision for Rosebank is expected in late September.
I was honoured to be a part of the group handing the letter in. It was one small act in a much larger effort. Back in April over a million people signed a petition delivered to 10 Downing Street calling for an end to new oil and gas projects.
Given this, added to the now well circulated fact that 89% of us globally want to see more climate action, it seems clear to me that the government must listen. Let’s hope and pray they do.
Want to know what you can do?
- Join a vigil: Christian Climate Action are holding regular vigils outside DESNZ during the governments 30 day Oil & Gas consultation period. Join in
- Save the date: At the end of the 30-day consultation, the Stop Rosebank campaign is planning a National Day of Action on Saturday 6th September. More info to follow soon.
- Speak to your MP: Use this guide to speak to your MP about StopRosebank, guide here.
This letter was signed by representatives of 18 faith groups including leaders from the United Reformed Church, Methodist Church and Baptist Union Environment Network. Read the letter here.
Here is a prayer you may like to use:
Creator God,
We are deeply sorry for our reliance on resources that damage your creation,
Please support the campaigners, giving them strength to keep going,
Give our government wisdom and compassion over this consultation period.
Let there be justice for the land and the seas,
Let there be justice for the people impacted and the people unseen,
Amen.
