House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Publication of environmental guidance
19 June 2025 · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Proposed by Michael Shanks Lab Rutherglen
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- UK government publishes new guidance on offshore environmental impact assessments for North Sea developers.
- Guidance requires developers to consider global environmental impacts of burning extracted oil and gas.
- Decision allows developers to submit previously on hold applications due to legal challenges.
Issue summary
The UK government is publishing new guidance on offshore environmental impact assessments following a Supreme Court ruling.
Action requested
The government has published guidance for North Sea developers to consider the global environmental impacts of burning extracted oil and gas in their assessments, allowing them to submit applications that were previously on hold due to legal challenges. This decision aims to provide clarity to the UK's oil and gas sector while aligning with the government’s clean energy objectives.
Key facts
- The Supreme Court ruled before this government took office regarding the environmental effects of burning extracted oil and gas.
- Offshore developers can now submit applications for consent to develop already licensed fields.
- £9.1 billion has been confirmed for carbon capture and storage projects as part of last week’s Spending Review.
- Feedback was gathered from industry, NGOs, academia, and the public during consultations.
- The guidance applies to applications for projects in North Sea oil and gas fields that are already licensed.