HUMZA Yousaf has said that the Prime Minister’s decision to “signal unlimited oil and gas extraction” is a sign that the UK Government “is not serious about tackling climate change”.
It comes after Rishi Sunak (below) announced that hundreds of new North Sea oil and gas licences will be granted in the UK.
It’s a move which has left activists furious with the Scottish Greens saying the UK Government has shown no consideration for future generations.
The UK Government has also now committed to providing up to £20 billion of funding for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) with the Acorn project in Scotland’s north-east now receiving support.
Yousaf echoed the thoughts of his party’s leader in Westminster Stephen Flynn as he said the CCUS element of the announcement was “welcome”.
The First Minister added: “However, for PM to effectively signal unlimited oil and gas extraction is a further demonstration that they’re not serious about tackling the climate emergency.
“For the PM to announce unlimited extraction of oil and gas, in the week the UN has confirmed July is set to be the hottest month in human history, shows the PM is willing to recklessly gamble the future of our planet for cheap political gain.
“PM should have come to Scotland promising reform of the energy market to incentivise renewables or agree to match the Scottish Government’s £500m Just Transition Fund to help unleash tens of thousands of green jobs and help make the North East the Net Zero Capital of Europe.
“The Scottish Government continues to believe in an accelerated Just Transition. Our future is not in unlimited extraction of oil and gas.
“With our £500 million Just Transition Fund, we will do that in a way that protects workers and crucially secures the best future for our planet.”
