IISD Response to the United Kingdom Consultation on the Rosebank Field Development
The British government has invited input into a consultation on Equinor's application for consent for the Rosebank oil and gas field development. The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the consultation.
Key Messages
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Equinor's further information is not consistent with the British government's guidance on assessing the effects of downstream Scope 3 emissions.
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Developing Rosebank would not be consistent with Paris-aligned pathways.
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The likely climate effects of Rosebank would be significant.
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IISD recommends that the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero refuse to agree to the Oil and Gas Authority's grant of consent.
This brief is IISD's response to the British government's consultation on Equinor's application for consent for the Rosebank oil and gas field development.
The further information submitted by Equinor is not consistent with supplementary guidance issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) on assessing the effects of downstream Scope 3 emissions on climate, published in June 2025.
Had the assessment been conducted in a manner consistent with the DESNZ guidance and with the available scientific evidence, it would inevitably have concluded that Rosebank would likely have highly significant environmental effects, as it would not be consistent with pathways aligned with Paris Agreement goals.
Therefore, IISD recommends that the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero refuse to agree to the Oil and Gas Authority's grant of consent following the Secretary of State's conclusion regarding the environmental effects of the project, so the project may not proceed.
Instead, investing in clean energy jobs and industries is the way forward, to ensure just transition and economic diversification for workers and communities.
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