Fight the climate crisis or go for growth? There is a way Burnham can do both | Jonathan Freedland

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is confronting the central challenge of modern governance: addressing the climate crisis while delivering economic growth. At the Cop31 summit in Antalya, he promised "a new era of British leadership" in the fight against global heating, even as his government faces criticism for approving the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea and preparing decisions on the larger Rosebank oilfield and a third runway at Heathrow airport.

The tension between environmental protection and economic growth has created a political dilemma for Burnham's center-left government. Chancellor John Healey has backed the Heathrow expansion as an economic engine, while climate scientists warn that global carbon emissions are at record levels. The government's credibility is being questioned by campaigners who see apparent contradictions between Burnham's climate rhetoric and his administration's actions.

Demand reduction strategy

One approach being considered focuses on reducing demand for fossil fuels rather than solely restricting supply. Michael Jacobs, climate adviser to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, emphasizes: "We need to destroy the demand for oil and gas." Progress is already visible in the UK's energy transition, with nearly half of new cars registered last month being either fully electric or plug-in hybrids.

This strategy acknowledges that while symbols like the Jackdaw approval matter, the bigger picture of reducing overall consumption is more critical. However, this approach becomes more challenging with projects like Rosebank, which has a 25-year lifespan, and Heathrow expansion, where aviation emissions remain difficult to reduce due to limited alternative fuel options.

Carbon capture compromise

A potential solution gaining traction among ministers would require fossil fuel producers in the North Sea to implement carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. This would involve capturing carbon emissions from extracted oil and gas and storing them underground. The UK government has allocated approximately £21 billion in subsidies for CCS, but the radical approach would shift costs to polluters themselves.

This approach could create about 50,000 UK jobs in the 2030s, potentially more than would be generated through further fossil fuel extraction alone. Norway has successfully operated CCS at its Sleipner field for 30 years, demonstrating the technology's feasibility.

Leadership through pragmatism

Such a policy would represent a pragmatic yet radical approach that could position the UK as a climate leader. By selectively approving some fossil fuel projects while mandating CCS, the government could balance economic concerns with environmental imperatives. This strategy might also influence other nations like the EU and Norway to adopt similar requirements, amplifying its impact.

Burnham's challenge will be communicating this nuanced approach to the public, who must understand that not all emissions-producing projects are equal. The government will need to explain its decision-making process for each case while maintaining the broader argument about preventing climate breakdown. This balancing act could prove to be one of Burnham's most significant tests as prime minister, requiring a communicator who can handle complexity without losing public trust.