Key facts
- Over 200 musicians, including Massive Attack and Brian Eno, have written to Andy Burnham.
- They are urging him to reject plans for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, specifically the Rosebank oilfield.
- The musicians argue the project will not lower energy bills or provide energy security, as most oil is likely to be exported.
- Environmental activists estimate Rosebank could produce 250 million tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime.
- The government stated the North Sea remains a vital national asset supporting jobs and energy security.
More than 200 musicians, including prominent artists like Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Olly Alexander, and Paris Paloma, have collectively urged UK minister Andy Burnham to reject proposed new oil and gas drilling projects in the North Sea. The artists specifically targeted the Rosebank oilfield, warning that its development would not lead to lower energy bills or enhanced energy security, as the majority of the extracted oil is expected to be exported.
The consultation period for the Rosebank project, located approximately 80 miles northwest of the Shetland Islands, concluded on Monday. Similarly, the consultation for the Jackdaw gasfield off Aberdeen ended a week prior. Adura, the company behind both ventures, has stated that these projects are projected to generate £10.8 billion in investment and create approximately 3,500 jobs during peak construction, with a sustained employment of 880 individuals throughout their operational lifespan.
Environmental activists contend that exploiting the UK's largest remaining untapped oilfield will exacerbate climate change. Estimates suggest that the Rosebank field could emit over 250 million tonnes of CO2 during its operational life, a figure equivalent to 70% of the UK's annual emissions. The musicians' letter highlighted the immediate impact of the climate crisis, noting disruptions to daily life from heatwaves, and Brian Eno emphasized Burnham's past alignment with environmental campaigns, presenting him with a choice between supporting the fossil fuel industry or the public.
Previous approvals for production at Rosebank and Jackdaw by the former Conservative government were overturned following a legal challenge by Greenpeace, pending more comprehensive climate assessments. These assessments were recently put out for consultation, placing the decision-making authority with the current Labour ministers. Suzi Shingler of Stop Rosebank criticized the lack of response from Burnham regarding climate change, despite severe heatwaves and wildfires across the UK and Europe.
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero defended the North Sea's role as a vital national asset, contributing to jobs, growth, and energy security. The department affirmed that oil and gas will remain integral to the UK's energy system for decades, alongside the transition to clean power.