The Jackdaw gasfield project is set to receive formal approval this Wednesday, a decision that highlights the government’s ongoing commitment to the North Sea fossil fuel sector while risking a significant political backlash from environmental campaigners and members of the Labour Party. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh and Chancellor John Healey are expected to make the announcement in Aberdeen, concluding over a year of internal debates regarding the compatibility of the project with the United Kingdom’s established climate targets. We will set out our decisions shortly.”.
Approval for this site—one of the largest undeveloped fields in the North Sea—provides a substantial boost to the oil and gas industry, specifically benefiting Shell and the Norwegian operator Equinor. While the government maintains that this decision does not violate its manifesto pledge against new licensing, as it is not a new permit, the move is anticipated to draw sharp criticism for potentially undermining the nation’s green credentials. Its status has become symbolic of the government’s commitment to the oil and gas industry, which is facing heavy job losses as reserves decline and platforms become increasingly automated, along with the Rosebank oilfield. According to several sources have, Fahnbulleh has decided not to block the field, allowing the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), which regulates the industry, to give the go-ahead based on financial and logistical concerns.
Tessa Khan, executive director of the campaign group Uplift, criticized the move, stating that Jackdaw would only meet roughly 2% of the country’s gas demand over a 10-year period. She argued that the project has been oversold and will do little to stem the decline in North Sea employment, noting that the facility will primarily function as an unmanned, remote operation. Khan added that the government’s climate credibility is being tested, asserting that no new oil and gasfields are compatible with essential climate safety limits. As it will be largely unmanned and operated remotely.”, it has been oversold and won’t stop the overall decline in North Sea jobs.
When operating at full capacity, Jackdaw is expected to account for 6% of the UK’s North Sea gas production, positioning it as one of the largest fields currently not in production.
The field initially received approval from the Conservative administration in 2022, with proponents arguing it would help mitigate energy market volatility following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Although Labour took office in 2024 promising to halt new North Sea licenses, both the Jackdaw and Rosebank projects were thrown into uncertainty by a subsequent court ruling.
A judge found that previous environmental approvals were flawed because they failed to properly account for the emissions resulting from burning the extracted fuels.
Since the ruling, Shell and Equinor have resubmitted their environmental consent applications, prompting months of deliberation by Fahnbulleh and her predecessor, Ed Miliband. Prime Minister and former leader Keir Starmer have faced significant pressure to move forward with these projects, including public encouragement from Donald Trump to open up the North Sea. Andy Burnham has indicated a willingness to adopt a pragmatic approach to the energy sector, stating in July that the country cannot ignore the resource potential while citizens face economic hardship. Promising to take a “pragmatic approach” to the decision, burnham signalled he was sympathetic to the US president’s arguments earlier this summer. According to “There is a resource there,” he, In July. “When people are struggling – you can’t ignore that.”.
The announcement is expected to be delivered alongside the North Sea Transition Authority’s chief executive, Stuart Payne. While this move could strengthen Labour’s standing in north-east Scotland, where industrial unions have campaigned for permit approvals, it creates friction with Labour MPs who face electoral challenges from the Green Party. Research by Savanta for the group E3G indicates that nearly one-third of the electorate would be less likely to support Labour if it authorizes further drilling, a sentiment that rises to approximately 50% among voters aged 18 to 24. And around half of 18- to 24-year-olds, that includes almost exactly a third of those who voted Labour at the last election.
Ellie Mae O’Hagan, E3G’s UK energy programme lead, argued that the public is clear that increased drilling is an inadequate response to the climate crisis. She urged the Prime Minister to prioritize investments in solar power and heat pumps rather than providing tax incentives to oil and gas companies. Despite this, officials suggest the Rosebank field remains a more sensitive topic, as it is expected to produce seven times the carbon dioxide emissions of Jackdaw, with much of its oil output intended for export. Khan emphasized that Rosebank is the defining test, calling on the government to reject that project to prioritize affordable energy and genuine industrial growth.
