Rishi Sunak claimed that his controversial new energy plans are “entirely consistent” with reaching net zero by 2050, after announcing today a major expansion of oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.

Even when Britain reaches net zero, “a quarter of our domestic energy needs will still come from oil and gas”, said the PM, speaking in Aberdeenshire. 

In addition to giving the green light for hundreds of new drilling licenses, Sunak also unveiled ÂŁ20bn of funding for Scotland’s first carbon capture scheme. The Acorn Project at St Fergus in Aberdeenshire will take greenhouse gas emissions and store them under the North Sea and, according to the government, is set to create over 200,00 new jobs.Â