According to Rishi Sunak, Labor plans in the North Sea are harmful to the environment.

On Monday, Rishi Sunak announced hundreds of new North Sea oil and gas licenses and said Labor's plans to stop of new exploration is 'bad for the environment'.

During a trip to Scotland on Monday, the Prime Minister said the government's policy of 'maximizing exploitation' of developments in the North Sea is compatible with zero emissions.

He pointed to new data showing that the carbon footprint of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) is nearly four times that of domestic production.

He said that Labor's policy of terminating new oil and gas licenses was bad. for the economy and energy security and make the UK «more dependent on energy coming from abroad.»

«And that's bad for the environment,» he said. “So however you look at it, I don't think it's the right policy. What we are doing is right for the country.”

Responding to a question about the scandalous Rosebank field, the Prime Minister hinted that he supported getting the green light.

“I think we should make the most of the opportunities we have in the North Sea because it's good for our energy security, it's good for jobs, especially here in Scotland,” he said.

< p>«But it's also good for the climate, because the alternative is to bring energy here from the other side of the world with three or four times the carbon emissions.»

Rishi Sunak during his visit to the Shell St Fergus gas works in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire on Monday. Photo: Juan Duff/PA

Mr. Sunak said the government's oil and gas plans «are in line with our ambitions.» «By 2050, the UK will reach net zero emissions. The UK is projected to continue to rely on oil and gas for about a quarter of its energy needs.»

Around a third of the UK's gas supply now comes from LNG imports, mostly from the US and Qatar, according to new data released by the North Sea Crossing Authority (NSTA), the UK's regulator, on Monday.

The UK's source of imports is pipeline gas from Norway, which has a carbon footprint of less than half that of UK gas.

NSTA is currently pursuing its 33rd offshore oil and gas licensing round with over 100 licenses expected this fall.< /p>

The government also announced support for two new carbon capture and storage projects in Scotland and the Humber as part of a £20bn technology investment.

The government said it would review the oil and gas tax regime as he seeks to strike a balance between maintaining interest in the waning North Sea and ensuring adequate investment in net zero returns.

Rishi Sunak argued that the government's policy of «maximizing exploitation» of developments in the North Sea was compatible with zero emissions. Chris Skidmore, who reviewed Net Zero, said they put the government «on the wrong side of history.»

Ed Miliband, Shadow Climate and Zero Secretary, said the Conservatives' energy policies would not reduce the bills for ordinary households. because oil and gas will be sold at world market prices.

He added: “Rishi Sunak’s weak and confused policies will not take a cent off the bill – just like his own party chairman admitted that he would do nothing for our energy security and will drive carriage and horses through our climate commitments while continuing to leave us at the mercy of fossil fuel dictators like Putin.”

Analysis for the Carbon The Brief website suggests that the plans Labor will make the UK less dependent on imports if it succeeds in realizing its plans for a green electricity grid by 2030.