The UK government has introduced tougher emissions guidelines for new oil and gas projects in a move that could significantly reshape the future of fossil fuel developments in the North Sea. This shift comes in response to mounting legal and environmental pressure, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that forced regulators to consider the full climate impact of major fossil fuel projects, including the carbon emissions generated when the extracted oil and gas are eventually burned.
The new guidance, issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, compels companies to assess not only the emissions from their drilling and production processes, but also the broader environmental consequences of their products being used. This includes the so-called “scope 3” emissions, which are typically the largest part of a fossil fuel project’s carbon footprint. For the first time, developers of major projects will need to address these downstream emissions as part of their environmental assessments.
This guidance could have far-reaching consequences for some of the UK’s most high-profile oil and gas fields. Among them are Shell’s Jackdaw project and Equinor’s Rosebank development, both of which have faced fierce opposition from climate activists and campaigners. Critics have long argued that approving new fossil fuel projects without considering their full climate impact undermines the UK’s legally binding commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Campaign groups have welcomed the government’s updated stance, saying it brings the UK in closer alignment with international climate standards and adds much-needed accountability to a sector often shielded from scrutiny. Environmental organisations have been especially vocal about the need to phase out new oil and gas approvals altogether, warning that continued investment in fossil fuels poses a direct threat to climate goals.
However, industry groups are pushing back. Some energy companies argue that the new requirements add further bureaucracy to an already heavily regulated sector and could threaten investment in domestic energy projects. They say that oil and gas still have a vital role to play in the UK’s energy security, especially during the transition to renewable sources.
As climate change accelerates and public scrutiny of fossil fuel development intensifies, this new guidance marks a pivotal moment for how the UK balances its energy policy with its environmental responsibilities. Whether it results in meaningful change or simply reshapes how projects are approved remains to be seen, but the message is clear: the rules are changing, and the industry must adapt.
