The body, which advises the UK and devolved governments on emissions targets, has urged business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng to take this into consideration when considering the creation of a potential “checkpoint” system for new oil and gas licences. The system would ensure that any further exploration would be compatible with the UK’s climate objectives.
“We encourage the government to set stringent tests to the licensing of exploration. Equivalent tests should also apply to later development stages, such as consenting of production,” the CCC said.
Last year, a trade body representing the UK’s oil and gas sector called on the government to invest more in new oil and gas in order to reduce the amount it is forced to import from other countries.
But the UN’s Environment Programme later warned that any plans to expand fossil fuel projects over the next decade would be severely out of line with ambitions to cut greenhouse gas emissions and limit temperature...