英国新政府正在经历其首个重大气候政策考验。能源安全国务秘书米亚塔·法赫布莱赫需要对北海两处油气田的开采许可做出决策，这两个项目分别是Jackdaw和Rosebank[1]。其中Jackdaw项目的公众咨询已于昨日结束，Rosebank项目将于下周一结束[1]。
这一决策对政府气候承诺的真实意图构成了直接考验。法赫布莱赫曾在2022年明确表态，称"要控制全球变暖在1.5°C以内，我们不能开发任何新的油气田……在需要实现净零排放时资助新的化石燃料是不负责任和短视的"[1]。如今作为内阁成员，她需要面对这些新化石燃料项目的许可决定。当前英国正经历第五个夏季热浪，英格兰近四分之三地区处于干旱状态[1]，这进一步凸显了气候问题的紧迫性。
Britain's newly formed administration confronts a defining moment on fossil fuel expansion as it weighs approvals for two major North Sea oil and gas projects. Energy Security Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, who previously authored a 2022 article arguing that "we cannot develop any new oil and gas fields" to keep global warming within 1.5°C, now sits in cabinet facing public consultation decisions on the Jackdaw and Rosebank developments.[1] Fahnbulleh's earlier writing contended that "funding new fossil fuels when we need to achieve net zero is irresponsible and short-sighted."[1]
The timing of these decisions carries symbolic weight for the government's climate credentials. The Jackdaw project's public consultation concluded yesterday, while the Rosebank consultation period closes next Monday.[1] Britain is currently experiencing its fifth summer heat wave, with nearly three-quarters of England facing drought conditions.[1]