Dorset climate groups say North Sea gas drilling threatens coast
The groups say that the UK cannot "drill itself out of the climate crisis"
Last updated 23rd Oct 2026
Dorset’s coastline, wildlife and communities are being put at risk by the government’s decision to approve drilling in the North Sea Jackdaw gas field, environmental campaigners have warned.
The decision to greenlight the offshore fossil fuel project has sparked fury among Dorset green groups, who argue that expanding fossil fuel extraction will worsen climate threats at home while doing nothing to bring down household energy bills.
In a joint statement, BCP Green Party, Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion said: “Here in Dorset, we have plenty to protect: our coastline, our wildlife, our communities, and the future of our children.
“From coastal erosion and flood risk to pressures on nature and agriculture, its impacts are already being felt closer to home.
“We are disappointed to hear that the Labour government has approved the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea.
“At a time when climate change is causing increasingly extreme weather, we should be accelerating our transition away from fossil fuels, not committing ourselves to further extraction.”
Ministers have argued that tapping the North Sea field will strengthen domestic energy security and help keep homes warm during winter.
However, the groups stressed that the field will supply only about 2% of UK gas demand for roughly ten years and will fail to ease the cost of living.
The statement said: “We’re told that Jackdaw will strengthen energy security and help keep homes warm.
“But will it make a real difference to ordinary households?
“Crucially, it will not bring down our energy bills, which are driven by international gas prices.”
Campaigners warned that continuing reliance on oil and gas leaves families exposed to volatile global markets, while offshore workers deserve guaranteed pathways into renewable energy.
The statement added: “There is a better way forward.
“More of our energy could be generated locally, through rooftop solar panels, community-owned renewable energy projects and other clean technologies.
“Alongside this, investment in home insulation, heat pumps and renewable energy could help reduce household energy use, cut emissions and protect people from the volatility of international markets.”
With a decision on the much larger Rosebank oilfield still to come, the groups warned that ministers must not repeat the mistake.
The statement said: “The government should be investing in a cleaner, fairer energy system that works for ordinary people, supports local communities, and reduces our dependence on the fuels driving global warming.
“We cannot drill our way out of the climate crisis.”