Could new oil & gas licences solve our energy security needs or are they an environmentally-damaging pipe dream?

Could new British oil and gas licences actually boost our energy security and lower bills, or are their economic benefits overblown and would investing more in renewables help us cut bills faster and free us from the malign influence of petrostates once and for all?

It is widely accepted that we will continue to need oil and gas as we transition to net zero by 2050. But is new gas and oil from the North Sea really the silver bullet to all our energy needs? Or with the North Sea in terminal decline, should we be looking to other homegrown, renewable energy sources to boost our energy independence? Is it even possible to ensure that new oil and gas exploration is compatible with our climate targets and ensure our continued status as a global leader on the environment?

Our panellists will include Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, and Ned Hammond, Senior Researcher at Onward on the Getting to Zero programme.

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If you have any questions, please email isabel@cen.uk.com.