A coalition of more than 200 musicians has submitted a letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham opposing proposed oil and gas extraction projects in the North Sea. The signatories, which include members of Radiohead, Massive Attack, the Cure, and numerous other recording artists, called for the rejection of the Rosebank oilfield development. The letter also opposed the separate Jackdaw gasfield project off Aberdeen.
The Rosebank oilfield is located approximately 80 miles northwest of the Shetland Islands and represents the UK’s largest remaining untapped crude oil reserves. Adura, the company developing both projects, has estimated they would generate £10.8 billion in investment and create up to 3,500 construction jobs, with 880 permanent positions during the production phase. The government’s consultation periods for both projects have recently closed, with ministers now tasked with determining whether to approve the developments.
The musicians’ letter emphasized that climate change is already affecting daily life, disrupting schools, workplaces, hospitals, and transportation networks. Environmental analysts estimate the Rosebank project alone could produce over 250 million tonnes of carbon dioxide during its operational lifetime, equivalent to 70 percent of the UK’s annual emissions. Climate activists argue that expanding fossil fuel extraction will worsen climate impacts, while the signatory artists contend that the developments would not meaningfully lower energy costs or enhance energy security, as most extracted oil would be exported.
Brian Eno, co-founder of the campaign group EarthPercent, framed the decision as a choice between supporting the fossil fuel industry or standing with those facing climate consequences. Recent meteorological data indicates the current summer is tracking to be the hottest on record in the UK, with 2026 potentially marking the first year recording four separate days with temperatures at or above 36 degrees Celsius. Hospital emergency departments have experienced record patient volumes throughout the summer months, with each of May, June, and July recording over 2.4 million attendances.
The government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated that the North Sea remains strategically important for national energy security and job creation, and that oil and gas will continue playing a role in the energy system while the country transitions toward clean energy sources.
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