New North Sea Drilling Plans: A Climate Crisis in the Making?

Recent concern has been sparked over outstanding oil and gas drilling licences in the North Sea. Even though the current government has pledged not to issue any new licences, the previous administration’s motto to “drain every last drop” from the North Sea resulted in permits being issued with what seems to be little regard for environmental impact. As it currently stands, the licences already issued, if utilised, have the potential to “emit as much carbon dioxide as British households produce in three decades.” This, coupled with the fact that relatively loose climate checks were required before these projects were approved, has caused significant alarm. Many are now calling on the current government to rescind some of these licences.


Environmental Impact: Alarming CO2 Projections

A primary concern surrounding these drilling sites is their staggering environmental impact. As previously mentioned, projections estimate that the CO2 emissions generated by the extraction and burning of fossil fuels from these fields could match the equivalent of 30 years’ worth of emissions from all UK households. This startling comparison raises red flags about the UK’s ability to meet its legally binding climate targets.

Additionally, if all the sites holding licences are developed, they would yield an estimated 3.8 billion barrels of oil which, if burned, would release 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.


Energy Security Versus Climate Action

The debate surrounding the North Sea drilling plans highlights a fundamental tension between energy security and climate action. Advocates argue that domestic production will protect the UK from volatile global energy markets and provide a bridge as the country transitions to renewable energy sources.

Critics counter that investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure locks the UK into a carbon-intensive future, diverting resources away from clean energy alternatives. The government has pledged that no new licenses will be issued however this falls short of solving the concerns brought by environmental groups.


Reactions and Criticism

Environmental groups and scientists have been vocal in their opposition to the expansion of drilling in the North Sea. Organisations such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have condemned the plans as reckless and shortsighted, warning that they jeopardise global climate efforts. Additionally, Uplift, a group dedicated to helping the UK transition away from oil and gas production, has described the current scale of planned drilling as alarming. They argue that the UK must adopt a stronger stance against new fossil fuel projects.


Global Context and Alternatives

The UK’s decision comes at a time when many countries are scaling back fossil fuel investments in favour of renewable energy development. Nations such as Germany and Denmark are accelerating offshore wind projects and expanding solar energy infrastructure, demonstrating viable pathways to decarbonisation.

Investing in renewable infrastructure could provide the UK with long-term energy security without compromising climate goals. Technologies such as wind, solar, and hydrogen, along with battery storage systems, offer sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Transitioning to these solutions would not only reduce emissions but also create jobs and foster innovation in the green energy sector.


In Conclusion

The licensing of new North Sea drilling sites poses a significant threat to the UK’s climate ambitions. While energy security remains a valid concern, the environmental costs of expanding fossil fuel extraction cannot be ignored. Balancing short-term energy needs with long-term sustainability requires a bold commitment to renewable energy and decisive action against carbon emissions. The world is watching to see whether the UK will double down on fossil fuels or lead the charge towards a cleaner, greener future.

©Whitestone Chambers 2024

A.I. & E.S.G. 2025

For mid-sized companies, ESG, (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals often feel like an uphill climb. With limited budgets and resources, addressing sustainability, ethical governance and social responsibility is overwhelming.

Hey, this is what Lawrence thinks: what if technology, in the right hands, could help level the playing field?

A.I. is emerging as a practical tool – not a flashy fix, but a quiet enabler, offering efficient solutions to complex challenges by uncovering insights, automating tasks and enabling companies to focus on their core priorities. It is not about replacing human judgment but amplifying it, allowing these companies to make meaningful strides in E.S.G. without overstretching their capabilities.


Streamlining ESG Reporting with A.I.

Consider this situation: Without A.I., companies are forced to manually gather data from various departments, procurement, operations, and logistics then consolidate it into a cohesive report. The process is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors, especially when data comes from disparate sources.

Enter A.I. powered platforms like Briink or Enablon. These tools use natural language processing and machine learning to analyse unstructured data from emails, invoices and supplier documents, automatically extracting relevant E.S.G. information. Instead of spending weeks compiling a report, the company can now generate one in hours. The result? Faster compliance with frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and improved accuracy in tracking emissions data.

Moreover, A.I. does not just stop at reporting. Tools like Watershed can monitor the company’s carbon footprint in real-time, providing actionable insights into which processes or suppliers contribute most to emissions. For example, by analysing the transportation data of Company X, the A.I. might highlight that switching to a local supplier could cut emissions by 15%. Armed with this insight, the company not only improves its environmental performance but also lowers costs, a win-win for both E.S.G. goals and profitability.


Making Data-Driven Decisions

A.I. helps companies simulate the impact of different sustainability strategies, empowering them to make informed decisions about reducing emissions, conserving resources and adapting to climate regulations. Studies indicate that A.I. could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by up to 4% by 2030, highlighting its potential in combating climate change. Yes, it’s not “huge” but every part helps.


Case Studies: How Companies Are Using A.I. for ESG

A.I. powered solutions can help businesses track their emissions and identify inefficiencies in their supply chains. Patagonia, for instance, uses A.I. to enhance supply chain transparency. By monitoring the materials they use, they have been able to identify environmental risks and make sustainable changes.

Tools like Clarity AI provide data-driven insights to help businesses predict risks, such as regulatory changes or reputational challenges and identify opportunities to improve their E.S.G. performance. For mid-sized companies, these predictive capabilities are invaluable in staying proactive rather than reactive.

EnerSys, a mid-sized manufacturing company specialising in energy solutions, faced challenges in consolidating E.S.G. data across its global operations. By implementing A.I. tools to automate data collection and reporting, the company not only improved efficiency but also enhanced the accuracy of its sustainability metrics. This automation allowed EnerSys to meet compliance requirements faster and dedicate more resources to strategic ESG initiatives. EnerSys reported a 25% reduction in Scope 1 emissions since 2019 and a 15% improvement in energy intensity since 2020.

The company has been recognised with the prestigious German E.S.G. Transparency Award, highlighting EnerSys’s dedication to sustainability and transparent ESG disclosures.


Challenges in Adopting A.I. for ESG

Despite A.I.’s potential, adopting it for E.S.G. management is not without obstacles. The cost of implementing advanced A.I. tools can be prohibitive for mid-sized businesses with tight budgets. Many of these tools are designed with large enterprises in mind, leaving smaller organisations with fewer affordable options.

Moreover, a lack of technical expertise within mid-sized companies often hampers their ability to deploy and manage A.I. effectively. Even when A.I. tools are accessible, ensuring the quality and accuracy of input data remains a significant challenge. Without reliable data, the insights generated by A.I. may not be actionable.


A.I. as a Partner, Not a Replacement

While A.I. is clearly a powerful tool for E.S.G. management, it comes with limitations that require careful consideration. Its effectiveness hinges on the quality and completeness of data, which can be a challenge for mid-sized companies with fragmented or biased datasets. Over-reliance on A.I. risks sidelining the human judgment necessary for addressing complex, nuanced issues like workplace culture or community engagement. Ethical concerns, such as algorithmic bias and transparency, add another layer of complexity.

Additionally, as governments introduce A.I. specific regulations, companies face compliance risks if their tools fail to meet emerging ethical and legal standards. For A.I. to truly complement E.S.G. efforts, it must be used as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human oversight and strategic vision.


Trends to Watch

As A.I. technology continues to evolve, its potential to reshape E.S.G. management is only just beginning to unfold. One area of development is democratising A.I. solutions. Emerging platforms are focusing on affordability and ease of use, making A.I. powered E.S.G. tools available to businesses without large budgets or technical teams. Cloud-based A.I. services and modular solutions could soon enable even the smallest companies to track carbon emissions, monitor supply chain sustainability, and generate E.S.G. reports with minimal upfront investment.

Another exciting trend is the integration of A.I. with other technologies, such as “old school” blockchain. This combination could enhance supply chain transparency, allowing companies to verify ethical sourcing and reduce environmental impact with greater precision. Predictive AI models are also becoming more sophisticated, offering companies the ability to forecast E.S.G. risks and opportunities with unprecedented accuracy. For example, Arabesque has developed A.I. systems to analyse companies’ environmental data, aiding investors in making more informed and sustainable choices.


2025 and Beyond

As 2024 ends we are looking ahead to 2025 and beyond. A.I. will not replace human effort but enhance it, making E.S.G. management smarter, more efficient, and more impactful. For mid-sized companies, this evolution represents an opportunity to lead with purpose, leveraging A.I. to achieve both sustainability and long-term success.

Happy New Year, we have much to do and the resolve to get it done.

©Lawrence Power 2024