UK Could Target Carbon Emissions Not Fossil Fuels in Climate Agenda, Says Net Zero Minister

Britain's Minister for Climate at the Department of Business Graham Stuart leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on Sept. 7, 2022. Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

The use of fossil fuels is not the primary target that will be eliminated in achieving net zero, the UK’s net zero minister Graham Stuart has said, but the carbon emissions arising from them.

It could indicate that the government may prioritise carbon capture technologies in its emissions agenda ahead of the COP28 summit.

“We want to get the maximum ambition but what you’ve got to remember here is that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with oil and gas, it is the emissions from that which are the critical point,” Mr. Stuart stated during an evidence session of the Environmental Audit Committee on Wednesday.

“What we want to see the removal of is the emissions of oil and gas to the maximum extent possible,” he said.

Mr. Stuart’s comments follow the government’s announcement of new oil and gas licensing in the North Sea. This shift signals a potential reevaluation of the Tory government’s climate strategy, highlighting the need to focus on carbon emissions rather than the fossil fuels themselves.

Climate and net zero minister Graham Stuart speaking at the Innovation Zero Congress in London on May 25, 2023. Danny Halpin/PA Wire

UK ‘Most Decarbonised Major Economy’

“The reality is that the most decarbonised major economy on earth—us—was reliant for 77 percent of its primary energy needs last year on oil and gas,” Mr. Stuart acknowledged.

“There is no switch I can press to turn this off. We’ll be using oil and gas for decades to come. It’s the emissions we have got to focus on. We have also got to build a global coalition agreed on this.”

In response to questions about the UK’s heavy reliance on oil and gas, Mr. Stuart stressed the importance of understanding the demand-side dynamics. He argued that as long as industries require oil and gas, there will always be a market for them, necessitating a shift in focus towards reducing emissions associated with these energy sources.

“The biggest challenge for us is to change the demand factors,” Mr. Stuart said, pointing out that factors such as transportation, industrial processes, and residential needs are deeply intertwined with fossil fuel usage.

He opined that addressing these sectors effectively will be essential to making substantial progress in reducing emissions.

On Monday, the government unveiled plans to mandate annual renewal for oil and gas licensing in the North Sea, emphasising the need for energy security and job protection within the £16 billion industry.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stressed the significance of domestic energy in the transition to net zero, saying, “Domestic energy will play a crucial role in the transition to net zero, supporting jobs and economic growth, while also protecting us from the volatility of international markets and diversifying our energy sources.”

The current licensing round began in October last year, and the government recently granted the first set of 27 licences.

Wind turbines generate electricity as the Drax Power Station in the background also generates electricity in Selby, England, on June 29, 2023. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Report Reveals Economic Advantage of Carbon Capture

It comes as an independent report by Development Economics and commissioned by Drax Group revealed the potential economic advantages of accelerating carbon capture and storage (CCS) cluster development in the UK.

The report, released on Oct. 18, suggests that such acceleration could result in an additional £32 billion in gross value added for the economy from 2050 onward and create nearly 500,000 new jobs. This approach would enhance energy security and establish the UK as a prominent player in global carbon capture and removals technology.

Richard Gwilliam, the director of the UK Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage programme at Drax Group, said in a press release: “Carbon capture and removals can be a catalyst for growth, stronger energy security, increasing employment and reaching Net Zero in the UK.

“This research demonstrates that if the UK puts its foot on the accelerator and expands the rollout of CCS Clusters across the country, a unique prize worth tens of billions of pounds to the economy and hundreds of thousands of jobs is within reach.”

During the Environmental Audit Committee, Mr. Stuart also defended recent policy decisions made by the prime minister, including postponing policies aimed at reducing fossil fuel demand.

Mr. Stuart emphasised that these changes should not undermine the UK’s global leadership in climate action. Instead, he stressed the need for a pragmatic approach, considering the practical challenges associated with transforming an economy heavily reliant on fossil fuels.

“The key driver is demand. As long as your car can’t move, your factory can’t work, and your homes can’t be cooled or heated without oil and gas, someone is going to produce and sell it,” Mr. Stuart asserted. “We’ve focused too much on supply when the key driver is demand.”

Mr. Stuart also highlighted the need for international collaboration, advocating for a global coalition focused on reducing emissions. He argued that encouraging other nations to join the UK on a net zero pathway was the primary challenge, rather than solely focusing on domestic supply issues.

This shift in priorities is pivotal with the UK gearing up for COP28 at the end of November in Dubai, where climate policies and global cooperation will be at the forefront of discussions.