“What are the concerns about drilling in the North Sea?”

Source: The post is based on the article “What are the concerns about drilling in the North Sea?” published in “The Hindu” on 22nd August 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Environment

News: The U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak approved new offshore fossil fuel drilling in the North Sea, despite environmental concerns and the global push against climate change, raising questions about the U.K.’s commitment to climate change targets.

About history of drilling in North Sea.

The North Sea is between England, Scotland, and Europe.

The 1958 Geneva Convention allowed countries to explore their continental shelves.

The U.K.’s Continental Shelf Act started in 1964.

British Petroleum (BP) got the first licence in 1964.

BP found gas in 1965 and oil in 1970 in the North Sea.

Many companies joined exploration by the 1980s.

Production peaked in 1999 with 1,37,099 thousand tonnes.

By 2022, production reduced to 38,037 thousand tonnes.

What are the concerns about drilling in the North Sea?

Environmental Impact: Drilling in the North Sea intensifies the global threat of climate change. Activities associated with such drilling can lead to the warming of oceans, which, in turn, contributes to rising sea levels.

Risk to Marine Life: Offshore drilling has direct detrimental effects on marine biodiversity. Coral reefs, shellfish, and broader marine ecosystems are also at risk due to the increased acidity in the waters. This acidic condition arises when carbon pollution from drilling activities settles into the oceans.

Climate Commitments: The Climate Change Committee(CCC), in its 2023 report, highlighted that the U.K. is not adequately prepared for the implications of climate change. This report was based on evaluations from the Second National Adaptation Programme, spanning from 2018-2023, which showed a significant lack of preparation in climate adaptation.

Global Agreements: The CCC report shows the U.K. lacks adequate climate risk preparation. The Climate Action Tracker claims the U.K. isn’t meeting Paris Agreement standards, and new drilling plans exceed the recommended 1.5°C temperature rise limit.