The British government talks a big game about its climate commitments—but does it put its money where its mouth is? The Cambo oil field says NO.
Despite announcing it would bar all new oil exploration licenses, the government is planning to allow exploration for oil at Cambo, near Scotland's Shetland Islands. And if *that* sounds rich to you, get this: it's planning to allow this even while Scotland prepares to host COP26 this November. The betrayal couldn't possibly be more flagrant.
Oh, and did we mention that Shell holds a 30% stake in the project and is pushing for the exploration to advance—despite being ordered by a court in the Hague to cut its emissions by 45% by the end of the decade. Shell, of course, plans to protest this ruling. I mean, it's not like we're in a climate crisis or anything. Right?
If permitted, the Cambo oil field could produce 170 million barrels of oil—that's enough to equal the emissions from 16 coal plants running for a year.
The government is trying to get around this blatant backtracking on its own rules by mealy-mouthing that technically, Cambo wouldn't be a *new* license, since the right to explore was granted years ago. It's a bullshit technicality that puts money over planetary survival, and the government knows it.
Now's the time to step up and oppose the Cambo oil field. Here's why:
What's at stake:
- Global climate stability.
- Democracy: the British government pledged to its people that it would not support new oil exploration.
- Ocean ecosystems: the Cambo oil field would require a deepwater well—an inherently risky form of oil drilling that can cause catastrophic spills.
HOW TO TAKE ACTION: FROM HOME
SIGN THE PETITION
Help Friends of the Earth send the message to Johnson and his Tory government: we won't stand for oil drilling at Cambo.
RAISE AWARENESS
Spread the word about the Cambo oil field using the hashtag #StopCambo.
HOT TO TAKE ACTION: IN YOUR COMMUNITY
LONDON
Join and follow Fossil Free London for updates on local anti-Cambo protests.
SHETLAND
Follow the Shetland Green Party and XR Highlands and Islands for information about local protest events.
