The UK Prime Minister’s support for new fossil fuel drilling off the British coast has raised concerns among environmental experts amid the ongoing global push against irreversible climate change. As the North Sea Transition Authority (NTSA) oversees the 33rd offshore oil and gas licensing round, this move aims to enhance Britain’s energy independence. The North Sea, positioned between several European nations, is a significant economic and ecological zone, hosting shipping lanes, fisheries, and renewable energy sources. However, offshore drilling poses risks to workers, marine life, and the environment, exacerbating climate change and ocean warming. The UK’s commitment to climate goals is questioned, as its adaptation efforts fall short, contradicting the Paris Agreement and global climate targets. The licensing new oil and gas extraction clashes with temperature rise limitations.
UPSC Prelims Topics
- North Sea Transition Authority (NTSA): A regulatory body overseeing oil, gas, and carbon storage industries in the North Sea region.
- Epeiric Sea: An inland sea bordered by land or connected to an ocean through a river or strait.
- Continental Shelf Act 1964: UK legislation enabling exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf following the 1958 Geneva Convention.
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Nation-specific climate action plans outlined by countries as part of the Paris Agreement.
UPSC Mains & Interview Questions
- How does the UK’s decision to support new offshore drilling conflict with global climate efforts?
- Hint: The decision contradicts efforts to combat climate change, as fossil fuel extraction contributes to global warming and conflicts with emission reduction goals.
- What factors make the North Sea region significant both economically and ecologically?
- Hint: The North Sea hosts vital shipping routes, fisheries, and renewable energy sources, contributing to trade, energy production, and marine ecosystems.
- Explain the risks associated with offshore drilling on the environment and marine life.
- Hint: Offshore drilling poses climate risks, warms oceans, and threatens marine biodiversity. Carbon pollution can lead to ocean acidification, affecting coral reefs and shellfish.
- How does the UK’s National Adaptation Programme align with its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement?
- Hint: The UK’s adaptation efforts have fallen short, not meeting the scale needed to address climate risks fully, thus misaligning with its Paris Agreement commitments.
- Discuss the historical significance of the Continental Shelf Act 1964 in relation to the UK’s offshore drilling activities.
- Hint: The Act paved the way for exploration in the North Sea by granting rights for offshore exploration and exploitation, leading to the discovery of oil and gas reserves.
- Why is the licensing of new oil and gas extraction plans seen as incompatible with temperature rise limitations?
- Hint: Licensing such extraction conflicts with limiting temperature rises to 1.5°C, as it perpetuates fossil fuel dependence and worsens climate change consequences.