Last Wednesday, the U.K. government announced its final approval of a plan proposed by Shell to develop a new gas field in the North Sea. The Jackdaw field, located east of Aberdeen, has the potential to produce 6.5% of Britain's gas output. Production is expected to begin at the field in the second half of 2025 (BBC).

Shell's initial proposal for the field was rejected by Britain's Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning last October on environmental grounds. The company released an amended plan in March, which modifies the way it produces natural gas at the hub to which the Jackdaw field will be connected. Instead of removing all naturally occurring carbon dioxide from the gas offshore, a portion of it will be exported to an onshore terminal for treatment (Reuters).

U.K. Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng welcomed the approval, as the government seeks to boost domestic energy production in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Climate experts, on the other hand, said the approval "flew in the face of clear evidence from scientists that countries had urgently to cut greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis" (Guardian). Greenpeace UK accused the government of "desperate and destructive" action, and is considering legal action.