From POLITICO · · 1m 10s
Scotland drops opposition to North Sea oil and gas
The SNP-led Scottish government will revise its energy strategy to stop opposing new oil and gas exploration, marking a major policy shift.
In brief
The SNP-led Scottish government will revise its energy strategy to stop opposing new oil and gas exploration, marking a major policy shift. Scotland's SNP government is abandoning its opposition to new North Sea oil and gas fields, reversing a long-standing policy after electoral losses. Originally reported by…
SNP government reverses oil stance
The SNP-led Scottish government will revise its energy strategy to drop opposition to new North Sea oil and gas exploration, two senior officials told POLITICO.
From presumption against to neutrality
Scotland's 2023 draft strategy stated a presumption against new oil and gas fields. The new strategy, expected by summer, will remove this wording and no longer begin from opposition.
“out of date”
Electoral losses drove the shift
The SNP lost a key parliamentary by-election in Aberdeen to the pro-drilling Conservative Party in summer, where North Sea messaging was a focus. An official called it bruising.
Party conference signals new direction
The SNP passed a resolution Friday stating domestic oil and gas production is clearly preferable to importation. The defeated Aberdeen candidate said the party must end the presumption against.
“We need to put to bed any suggestion that our party, or our government, supports a 'presumption against'”
What it means
Scotland's SNP government is abandoning its opposition to new North Sea oil and gas fields, reversing a long-standing policy after electoral losses.
