Tory chair under fire after saying ‘net zero dogma’ must not stop drilling for oil in North Sea
The IndependentSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Conservative chair Oliver Dowden has come under fire today for saying that “net zero dogma” should not get in the way of new drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea. Mr Johnson has signalled he is ready to sanction new exploration and drilling in North Sea oil fields in a new energy security strategy, due for publication by the end of the month as part of a drive to wean western nations off what he terms an “addiction” to Russian energy. “As they prepare to relaunch their failed energy policy, it’s clear they will pander to fringe elements of their party and betray present and future generations.” And Ms Lucas said: “It’s frankly unbelievable that a member of Boris Johnson’s own cabinet is now claiming ‘net zero dogma’ is holding the country back – when what’s really threatening our energy and climate security is Tory backbenchers hell-bent on a return to fracking, a Net Zero Scrutiny Group in parliament touting the lines of climate deniers, and an obsession with importing oil and gas from tyrannical regimes. “Renewable energy isn’t just the best option for our planet, it’s also best for our pockets because it is much cheaper and can be rolled out far quicker than new North Sea oil and gas.