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Statement below from ten national unions and over 1900 trade unionists
Following the COP30 UN climate conference, in the year of trade union climate action backed by the TUC and UK unions, we – trade union leaders, reps and activists – call on the Labour government to refuse approval for the climate-wrecking Rosebank oil field.
With the climate crisis already bringing record heat, wildfires, flooding and drought in the UK and far beyond, Labour must not cave in to the profit-seeking of polluters and the anti-science, pro-fossil fuel agenda of Donald Trump and Nigel Farage.
A rapid, just global transition from fossil fuels is needed to avoid a catastrophic climate breakdown, as advocated in policy passed by TUC Congress. Approving a huge new oil field, producing more CO2 than the world’s 28 poorest countries do in a year, is not compatible with that goal.
Rosebank would violate the UK’s international climate commitments. The scientific evidence shows there is no room for new North Sea oil and gas projects if we are to stay within thresholds set out in the Paris Agreement.
This oil field – most of which is oil destined for export – would do nothing to lower bills or boost energy security. Thanks to the enormous tax breaks for new drilling in the UK, approving it could actually lead to a net loss to the Treasury of over £250 million, while the field’s owners Equinor and Ithaca pocket up to £1.5bn in profit.
If Rosebank goes ahead, around two hundred million pounds in profit would also flow to a company, Delek Group, that is contributing to human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories. Delek Group – which operates in illegal Israeli settlements, is on the UN database of companies involved in activities giving rise to human rights violations against Palestinians, and provides fuel to Israel’s military – is the majority-owner of Ithaca Energy, Rosebank’s co-owner.
Rosebank will do little to stem the decline in the North Sea workforce, which has seen jobs more than halve in the past decade, despite new field approvals.
If we remain distracted by ever-diminishing amounts of oil and gas, the UK risks missing huge opportunities from having some of the world’s best renewable resources. We should be investing in renewable energy and manufacturing, supporting workers into secure, long-term jobs that can serve social needs.
The Labour government must do the right thing by the planet, UK communities and workers, and stop Rosebank.
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On behalf of national trade unions:
Andrea Egan, General Secretary, on behalf of UNISON
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary, on behalf of the National Education Union (NEU)
John Moloney, Assistant General Secretary, on behalf of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)
Dave Ward, General Secretary, on behalf of the Communication Workers Union (CWU)
Jo Grady, General Secretary, on behalf of the University and College Union (UCU)
Paul W Fleming, General Secretary, on behalf of Equity
Steve Wright, General Secretary, on behalf of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU)
Sarah Woolley, General Secretary, on behalf of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers' Union (BFAWU)
Henry Chango Lopez, General Secretary, on behalf of the Industrial Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB)
Ornella Ospino, General Secretary, on behalf of United Voices of the World (UVW)
Plus over 1900 other trade unionists signing as individuals or on behalf of trade councils or branches - full list here