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Offshore Industry: North Sea

Asked by Munira WilsonLiberal DemocratDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 31 October 2025UIN 84321

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the ICJ opinion on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change, published in July 2025, on the Rosebank Oil Field.

Answered by Michael Shanks

Following last year’s Supreme Court ruling, we published in June supplementary guidance to ensure the full environmental impact of extraction is considered as part of consenting decisions for offshore oil and gas projects.

We have received further information from the Rosebank project developer, which is currently open to public consultation until 20 November to allow stakeholders to make representations. The further information and any representations received will be thoroughly reviewed. A robust decision-making process will be followed, as with onshore planning, which has similarities.

It would be inappropriate to comment on specific aspects of individual cases.

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