The hidden impacts of oil and gas on the UK’s seas
New report In Deep Water provides the first ever systematic review of damage caused by the oil and gas industry to UK seas
As an island nation, Britain relies on thriving seas, from supporting livelihoods across theUK, to the ability to protect our coasts, and their vital role in locking away carbon.
Yet our oceans are now under numerous pressures. For the first time, In Deep Waterreveals the conflict between protecting the marine habitats and expanding oil and gasextraction.
Despite the UK’s commitments limiting warming to 1.5°C, and protecting 30% seas fornature by 2030, up to 900 locations have been offered as sites for development in thelatest offshore oil and gas licencing round. Over a third (352) overlap with MarineProtected Areas.
Images identified through deep-learning AI model Sky Truth, show oily slicks over 10 kmlong from the Ninian oil platform off the Shetland coast.
Substantial harm is also being caused to marine life by oil and gas production throughchemical, plastic and noise pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.
The UK can and must be ambitious about moving past oil and gas production and allowing our marine environment to flourish, while empowering and supporting workers and communities who rely on the fossil fuel industry for the livelihoods.
For more detail on the In Deep Water report please download the briefing below.
