This talk explores how the UK came to change its policy on fossil fuel production, and how its approach compares with that of Australia.
UK North Sea oil and gas production has become a site of intense political and legal contestation over the last five years. The UK Labour Government has committed to not issue new exploration licences, but it has been ambiguous in its position on granting consents for the development and production of already-licenced fields, such as the controversial Rosebank oilfield. In this talk, Fergus Green will draw from his recent research and policy work to explain these developments—emphasising the interplay between economic, political, legal and policy aspects. He will also compare the situation in Australia, where federal and subnational governments continue to promote fossil fuel expansion despite claiming the mantle of climate leadership.
About the speaker
Dr Fergus Green is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy at University College London. His research seeks to understand the political, economic and legal drivers of fossil fuel expansion, and to advance socially just and politically robust response strategies. Fergus has published in leading academic journals—including Science, Nature Climate Change, and the American Political Science Review—and was a contributing author to three editions of the UN Environment Programme’s fossil fuel Production Gap Report (2019–2021). He has also supported NGOs in multiple jurisdictions in fossil fuel-related climate litigation.
This seminar presentation is an in-person only event. Registration is not required for in-person attendance as neither the ANU nor ACT Health conduct contact tracing.
Light lunch will be provided.
If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan please email regnet.communications@anu.edu.au.
Image credit: Elena Zolotova Photo standard license iStock