World’s new net zero roadmap: What does it mean for fossil fuels in the UK?

There is “no need” for new fossil fuels. That was the stark verdict of a major new report released on Tuesday by the International Energy Agency, a highly influential organisation that plays a key role in shaping energy policies in countries around the world.

The conclusion came from the IEA’s Net Zero Roadmap – a first-of-its kind blueprint for how the global energy sector can effectively end its contribution to the climate crisis by the middle of the century. The roadmap sees fossil fuel demand drop dramatically as the world strives to slash its greenhouse gas emissions in the coming decades, rendering any new project expansion unnecessary.

“Beyond projects already committed as of 2021, there are no new oil and gas fields approved for development in our pathway, and no new coal mines or mine extensions are required,” the report says.

The IEA’s vision could prove awkward reading for UK ministers, who are facing increasing pressure over their continued support for new fossil fuel exploration in the North Sea. In a plan released in March, the government refused to rule out the possibility of new North Sea oil and gas licences and instead said they would be issued if companies could pass a “climate compatibility checkpoint”.

The decision has attracted criticism from green groups and leading experts. And, last week, three climate activists launched a legal challenge against the government over its North Sea strategy. (The Independent is reporting on the latest developments on North Sea oil and gas as part of its Stop Fuelling the Climate Crisis campaign.)

Charlie Kronick, senior climate adviser at Greenpeace UK, said the IEA’s new report should prompt the government to review its support for fossil fuels in the North Sea.

“This IEA report makes it clear that no more fossil fuels are needed because demand has to fall to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement,” he said.

“There’s no need – and no justification – for new oil and gas wells in the North Sea. To deliver on this government’s own climate rhetoric, and what the IEA now demands, [ministers] must rule out new oil and gas licences.”

Ed Matthews, campaigns director at the climate think tank E3G, added that continued support for North Sea oil and gas in spite of the new findings would risk undermining the UK’s climate leadership ahead of Cop26, a major global climate conference to be held in Glasgow in just under six months’ time.

“The UK government’s failure to rule out new licenses threatens to undermine the Cop26 climate summit this year,” Mr Matthews told The Independent.

“If every country followed our lead for maximum economic recovery of oil and gas it would cause the complete breakdown of our climate system. As the leader of the summit they must set a global example and rule out all new oil and gas licenses with immediate effect.”