LONDON — The British government has given the go-ahead to the Jackdaw gas field, a decision announced Wednesday after months of delay that immediately drew accusations of “climate vandalism” from the Green Party.
Green leader Zack Polanski levelled the charge at Labour as the approval was confirmed in London. The field is expected to start supplying gas to homes and businesses from the end of the month, according to the government.
The decision tests Labour's balancing act on energy: ministers have argued that domestic gas production supports energy security and household supply while the country's power system transitions, while climate campaigners say approving new fields undermines the UK's emissions commitments and locks in fossil fuel infrastructure.
Jackdaw, in the North Sea, has been one of the most contested energy files in British politics, with its approval delayed repeatedly. Wednesday's decision makes it one of the clearest signals yet of how the government intends to weigh near-term energy supply against its climate pledges.
