Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have raised concerns that the UK government may inadvertently undermine its net zero targets through a series of major policy decisions being considered independently rather than in concert with one another. The organizations released a letter to the prime minister highlighting four key decisions pending: approval of North Sea oil drilling at the Rosebank field, expansion of Heathrow airport, modification of electric vehicle sales mandates, and potential reductions to heat pump installation grants.
According to analysis presented by the campaigning groups, the cumulative emissions from approving all four proposals would reach approximately 402 million tonnes of CO2 over the next 25 years—equivalent to the annual output of roughly 106 coal plants operating for a year. This combined impact would be substantial enough to obstruct the country’s ability to meet its established carbon budgets and net zero objectives. The groups contend that while each decision may be justified on individual grounds, their synchronized approval would create emissions consequences that undermine broader climate commitments.
The campaigners specifically cited the government’s recent approval of the Jackdaw gasfield development and noted that the fossil fuel industry is now seeking clearance for the Rosebank oilfield, which would produce higher emissions. On the vehicle emissions front, car manufacturers have requested that the government relax its mandate requiring all new car and van sales to be electric by 2035, potentially allowing petrol and diesel vehicles to comprise up to half of 2030 sales. Such a modification could generate future emissions equivalent to approximately 60 percent of those projected from Rosebank development.
Additionally, airlines have advocated for Heathrow expansion, which has received support from Chancellor John Healey based on projected economic growth benefits. Meanwhile, the government is expected to reduce funding for the boiler upgrade scheme, which currently provides household grants for installing heat pumps as replacements for gas boilers. Campaigners argue that examining these decisions collectively rather than separately would reveal their substantial aggregate climate impact and facilitate more strategically aligned policymaking.
A government spokesperson responded that reindustrialization efforts will not come at the expense of climate obligations and net zero commitments, noting that clean power investment has secured £110 billion in announced funding over the past two years and supported job creation through renewable energy initiatives.
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