Oil Change International responds to the UK Government’s confirmation of a North Sea licensing ban

In response to the UK Government’s confirmation of a North Sea licensing ban, Oil Change International North Sea Senior Campaigner Rosemary Harris, said: 

“Today’s confirmation of a North Sea licensing ban is a victory for people power—proof that when communities unite for climate action, governments listen. This bold step toward a clean energy future shows what’s possible when people demand better than business-as-usual. With the launch of the consultation on the North Sea’s future, the government now has the opportunity to produce a full and funded package of just transition plans that genuinely secures a future for workers and communities most impacted.  Workers who powered our past deserve guaranteed training and good jobs in our renewable energy future.

“Now is an opportunity to wrestle control of our energy future back from the oil and gas industry and put it in the hands of unions, workers and communities. Throwing lifelines to the oil industry, which enables fossil fuel extraction for “decades to come” will only delay energy security for the UK.

“International eyes will now be on the UK to show it can ban licensing and enact a just transition. If done right, this will show other North Sea producers that it is both possible and essential to end our reliance on oil and gas and build something better together.”