Chris Packham hits out at plans to expand North Sea oil and gas licences

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. Read our privacy policy Rishi Sunak’s decision to grant more North Sea oil and gas licences marked a “dark day for life on earth”, the renowned naturalist Chris Packham has said in a blistering attack on the prime minister’s climate plans. On a visit to Scotland on Monday, Mr Sunak announced he would grant 100 new oil and gas exploration licences, sparking criticism from climate campaigners who said the move would “send a wrecking ball through the UK’s climate commitments”. Asked if he was happy about the PM’s announcement, which came following a sweltering heatwave and multiple wildfires across Europe, Mr Packham said: “Sadly I’m not.” Mr Packham said the decision to expand operations in the North Sea flew in the face of advice from climate scientists, the United Nations and the government’s own climate change committee. I fear all four weaknesses apply.” open image in gallery Rishi Sunak said he wanted to ‘max out the opportunities that we have in the North Sea’ for oil and gas development Defending his decision, Mr Sunak, who was told by the climate change committee last month that the UK had “lost its clear global leadership position” on climate change, said granting the new licences was the “right thing to do” because it would make the UK less dependent on other countries for its supplies of oil and gas, “boost jobs and grow the economy.” Labour has promised to block new oil and gas developments if it wins power, saying it would focus instead on investments in renewable sources such as wind and nuclear power.