Ten trade unions representing millions of British workers have called on the government to reject drilling plans for the Rosebank oil field in the North Sea. The groups, which include Unison, the Public and Commercial Services Union, Equity, and the Fire Brigades Union, requested that the Labour government stop the project to address climate concerns. The Rosebank field is the largest untapped oil resource in the North Sea.
The government has not yet announced a final decision on whether development at the site, located northwest of Shetland, can proceed. The proposal has become a focal point for debate regarding the U.K.'s energy transition and climate commitments. While environmental groups and several public sector unions oppose the project, others point to the economic impact of halting North Sea development.
A report released this week for the developer, Adura, stated that blocking the development of Rosebank and the Jackdaw gas field near Aberdeen could cost the U.K. economy approximately £10.8 billion by 2035. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has urged the Prime Minister to approve the drilling. In contrast, Unison general secretary Andrea Egan and National Education Union president Ed Harlow stated that approving the field would worsen extreme weather conditions that affect public services like schools and hospitals.
Workers in the public sector, including teachers, healthcare professionals, and firefighters, report that they would notice the impact through the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Union representatives stated that heatwaves and floods have already led to cancelled hospital operations and record demand for emergency services. Conversely, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero maintains that the North Sea is a vital asset for protecting jobs and ensuring energy security during the transition to clean power.
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero declined to comment on speculation regarding the specific timeline for a decision. The department stated that the final outcome will take into account environmental assessments and public representations collected during the consultation process. No specific date for the final ruling has been provided, and the project remains under review by the government.