Burnham approves Jackdaw – and Labour’s unity on climate action is imperilled with the stroke of a pen | Zoe Williams

The article argues that approving the Jackdaw gasfield weakens the UK government’s credibility on climate action and risks undermining Labour’s unity on the issue. It says the decision sends a damaging signal while people are being urged to take personal and collective action to reduce emissions.

Jackdaw is described as a relatively small field whose output will peak quickly and is not expected to lower energy bills, which are shaped by global markets. The article says the government’s approval came after the issue was kept quiet during the Holborn and St Pancras by-election; protests and a legal challenge are expected, while a decision on the Rosebank oilfield is still pending. It places the decision against climate commitments made under the 2015 Paris agreement and warnings that the 1.5°C threshold will be breached.