Future Economy Scotland

More drilling won't save North Sea jobs. Our co-director @miriambrett.bsky.social spoke to BBC Scotland about the economic and geological realities of an ageing basin, and why further drilling cannot secure a sustainable future for its workforce.

Scotland's energy future depends on managing the transition, not further drilling. Speaking to BBC Scotland, our co-director @miriambrett.bsky.social explains why a proactive green industrial strategy and effective labour market planning are essential for workers and communities. #jackdaw

"The UK Government’s decision to green-light Jackdaw gas field will breach safe climate limits. It won’t, however, insulate households from eye-watering bills, meaningfully impact domestic energy security, or save North Sea jobs from terminal decline." - @miriambrett.bsky.social, FES

Our report, Delivering a Just Transition for Scotland's Fossil Fuel Workers sets out why a managed transition is key to: 👷‍♀️ Creating secure, well-paid green jobs 🔗 Strengthening domestic supply chains 🟢 Ensuring workers have genuine pathways into new industries www.futureeconomy.scot/publications...

"The UK Government’s decision to green-light Jackdaw gas field will breach safe climate limits. It won’t, however, insulate households from eye-watering bills, meaningfully impact domestic energy security, or save North Sea jobs from terminal decline." - @miriambrett.bsky.social, FES

Leaving this critical transition to market forces will fail affected workers and communities.

"The UK Government’s decision to green-light Jackdaw gas field will breach safe climate limits. It won’t, however, insulate households from eye-watering bills, meaningfully impact domestic energy security, or save North Sea jobs from terminal decline." - @miriambrett.bsky.social, FES

🔥 New fossil fuel developments carry significant climate risks. The decision to green-light Jackdaw will breach safe climate limits. Expanding extraction is incompatible with the emissions reductions needed to secure a safe future for generations to come.

"The UK Government’s decision to green-light Jackdaw gas field will breach safe climate limits. It won’t, however, insulate households from eye-watering bills, meaningfully impact domestic energy security, or save North Sea jobs from terminal decline." - @miriambrett.bsky.social, FES

👷 Further drilling cannot secure the future of North Sea jobs. Our research found that employment in Scotland supported by the oil and gas sector fell by 32% between 2014 and 2023 — a loss of 34,000 jobs — despite hundreds of new licences being awarded during that period.

"The UK Government’s decision to green-light Jackdaw gas field will breach safe climate limits. It won’t, however, insulate households from eye-watering bills, meaningfully impact domestic energy security, or save North Sea jobs from terminal decline." - @miriambrett.bsky.social, FES

Scotland faces a looming fiscal gap. But that doesn’t mean cuts are inevitable. Giving evidence to The Scottish Parliament @jujupepe.bsky.social explained why "efficiencies" aren't enough to close the gap & provide the upfront investment needed to strengthen public services.

More than 75% of planned ScotWind capacity is owned by parent companies outside the UK. Here our economist @jujupepe.bsky.social gives evidence to the Scottish Parliament on how Scotland could capture more of the wealth created off our coast to secure long-term returns for the people of Scotland.

Audit Scotland’s new report echoes many of the shortcomings we identified with the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round. But more can be done to ensure the wealth generated by Scotland's offshore wind is widely shared. Read our full response: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/447-re...

Last year our research with @cmmonwealth.bsky.social found that 75%+ of planned capacity is owned by parent companies outside the UK. This means the majority of profits will flow overseas rather than be reinvested in Scotland. Explore our interactive map 👉 www.futureeconomy.scot/scotwind

Scotland’s offshore wind is one of our greatest national assets. Tomorrow, Audit Scotland will report on how the ScotWind leasing round was run - putting fresh attention on who stands to benefit from the wealth our offshore wind creates.

Scotland’s new Programme for Government offers the clearest picture yet of the Scottish Government’s plans for the next five years. While there was much to welcome, Scotland’s looming fiscal gap was the elephant in the room.

Decisions about how to close budget gaps, and who will bear the costs, are political choices, not fiscal inevitabilities. How the Scottish Government responds to its fiscal crunch will shape Scotland’s economy for years to come, and lessons must be learned from austerity.

Scotland’s new Programme for Government offers the clearest picture yet of the Scottish Government’s plans for the next five years. While there was much to welcome, Scotland’s looming fiscal gap was the elephant in the room.

Scotland’s short-term funding boost masks a looming fiscal crunch. Public service reform alone won’t close the gap – tax rises are needed to protect services. Read our full response to the latest @scotfisccomm.bsky.social update: www.futureeconomy.scot/press/381-re...