Oxfam warns against any new North Sea drilling as new analysis reveals devastating human cost of emissions

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Short URL: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/mc/ufapbs/

As the new UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, considers the future of North Sea oil and gas projects, and amid growing expectations of an announcement in the coming weeks, Oxfam is warning that approving new fossil fuel projects would deepen the climate crisis while doing nothing to reduce energy bills.

Oxfam’s new analysis estimates that the lifetime emissions from the proposed Rosebank oil field would contribute to approximately 57,400 excess heat deaths globally – more than the number of babies born in Scotland in a year. If both the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields are approved, their combined lifetime emissions would contribute to an estimated 65,495 excess heat deaths – equivalent to wiping out the entire population of Clacton-on-Sea.

The warning comes as the UK Prime Minister faces critical decisions over the future of North Sea oil and gas. Oxfam says approving new fossil fuel projects would undermine the UK’s climate commitments and would be an act of “climate sabotage” on the global stage, while failing to deliver meaningful benefits for UK households.

Andy Aitchison / Oxfam

A giant bottle with a message that says Climate SOS and an Oxfam logo sit on the shoreline in Cornwall

Rosebank is estimated to produce 254 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent over its lifetime, while the vast majority of its reserves are oil destined for international markets which would do little to improve UK energy security. The move would instead lock the UK in decades of additional emissions that will disproportionately affect communities already experiencing extreme heat, drought and other climate impacts.

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Any decision to approve new North Sea oil drilling would be an act of climate sabotage that ignores the devastating human consequences of expanding fossil fuel production. These projects are not just measured in barrels of oil or tonnes of carbon, they translate into lives lost as climate change drives increasingly deadly extreme weather events around the world.”

Beth John, Climate Justice Adviser at Oxfam GB
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As communities across the world are already facing escalating climate impacts, approving new fossil fuel projects would be reckless. This decision is the defining test of this government’s climate credibility. The UK should be investing in renewable energy and supporting workers and communities affected by this transition to a greener future, not doubling down on the fossil fuels driving the climate crisis.”

Oxfam is calling on the UK Government to:

  • Not approve any new oil and gas projects, including Rosebank and Jackdaw. These are incompatible with the UK’s climate commitments and historic responsibility for the climate crisis.
  • Prioritise investment in renewable energy and a just transition that supports workers and communities while strengthening long-term energy security.
  • Ensure rich polluters pay their fair share for climate action, rather than continuing to profit while communities bear the costs of climate change.

People can write to their MP and demand that they oppose new North Sea oil and gas.

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Full Methodology Note is available here.

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