UK approves Jackdaw gasfield despite climate concerns

The UK government has approved the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea. The decision was widely expected after lobbying by Shell, the company behind the project. However, it will disappoint environmental campaigners and some Labour MPs. Labour's 2024 election manifesto promised to ban new drilling licences in the North Sea. Yet the companies behind Jackdaw and the Rosebank oilfield project have sought environmental approval for existing licences. Rosebank is being decided separately. The approval highlights the tension between energy needs and climate commitments.