Activists stage protests across Scotland against Rosebank oil field

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Dozens of climate and marine organisations, including Friends of the Earth Scotland, Surfers Against Sewage and Greenpeace UK, are demanding that Equinor, Norway’s state-owned oil company, shelves its plan to develop Rosebank and that the UK Government rejects the project. “People are demanding that our politicians put the health of our seas and amazing marine life first.” Activists claim Equinor will have to run a gas export pipeline through the Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt – a UK Marine Protected Area – to develop Rosebank. “It’s time for Aberdeen to go in a new direction towards clean renewable energy that has minimal impact on our marine life and can provide good quality green jobs for the long term.” Rowan Aitchison, who is organising the Oban event, said: “We all want to be able to continue to enjoy our coast and sea in Argyll for years to come, and for future generations to be able to enjoy it and live in harmony with it too. “The UK Government must put a stop to Rosebank and all new oil and gas projects now.” Responding to claims made by activists during a separate protest against Rosebank in Dundee earlier this week, a spokesperson for Equinor said worst case impact assessments have been carried out to ensure the field is developed in “an environmentally responsible way”.