Oxford News
Expert Comment: Should the UK relax clean energy targets?
Dr Stuart Jenkins, Oxford Net Zero Research Fellow
Last week an Oxford Net Zero report laid out our views on the future for the global oil and gas sector. Helpfully for stimulating conversation, the next day the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) released their own policy brief discussing the challenges for the current UK energy strategy.
TBI’s brief suggests there are missed opportunities for UK oil and gas, which, if unlocked, would benefit the wider economy via energy security guarantees, private investment and growth, and increased tax revenues. They argue the UK should relax 2030 clean energy commitments and reduce the political barriers to new oil and gas investments – claiming these revisions would not unduly affect long-running net zero ambition in the UK.
These arguments rely on an overly simplified view of the UK’s energy supply-side, and risk giveaways for oil and gas with limited benefits for the UK economy. They are right that the UK’s energy strategy must strike a balance between maximising the returns on remaining fossil fuel assets today and developing future non-fossil assets for tomorrow.
There are several coordination challenges for net-zero-aligned energy supply. It’s not as simple as deploying renewables, and we do need to worry about the grid, local capacity in distribution networks, energy storage, intermittency, and financing electrification at the demand-side; as well, of course, as the reality on the ground in the rest of the world.
Naturally, the politics of these issues means that there are many possible framings for the future of oil and gas. Our recent research hints at several.
One credible future looks like this – ask license applicants to justify their proposal as viable, given the wind down of UK oil and gas more broadly, explain how the UK’s exposure to energy imports would meaningfully change under their proposal, and highlight how their proposal aligns with delivering net zero.
If they can do this, play ball.
This would be no easy ask for oil and gas producers. Our extracted oil and gas is largely sold overseas, weakening any claim that new extraction would support energy independence. And the oil and gas sector does not currently couple its business cases for net zero technology deployment with oil and gas expansion. But together they are key to demonstrating that any new oil and gas projects are not in conflict with our long-term energy and climate strategy.
It is also no easy task for the UK Government, who have assumed a portion of revenue from North Sea assets will be collected and available to the exchequer in the coming decades – this is something which the Treasury will want to protect. However, since the North Sea basins are already well known to be mature, and hence the tax take dwindling, the relative importance of this will decline over time as well.
From an energy strategy perspective, gas remains important for the UK given our reliance on it as a load-balancing fuel in the power sector, and in at least some home heating and industrial settings in the coming decades.
The UK’s exposure to gas imports is an important energy security challenge. This risk could be partly managed through North Sea supply if we also manage the risk of undermining climate policy through continued extraction. Oil will also become less strategic for the UK over time, although it will play a key role in the transition itself.
But arguments for new oil are more hampered by the fact that this extraction is likely to be sold overseas, reducing any case that it is in support of UK energy independence.
If changes to the energy strategy were accompanied by an update to the way we appraise oil and gas licenses, we would provide a world-leading framework for oil and gas to contribute to both the short- and long-term energy supply future for the UK.
There are several coordination challenges for net-zero-aligned energy supply. It’s not as simple as deploying renewables, and we do need to worry about the grid, local capacity in distribution networks, energy storage, intermittency, and financing electrification at the demand-side; as well, of course, as the reality on the ground in the rest of the world.
But these aren’t reasons to take a backward step on UK oil and gas, particularly when the majority of currently extracted products are sold overseas with limited benefit to UK taxpayers.
If changes to the energy strategy were accompanied by an update to the way we appraise oil and gas licenses, we would provide a world-leading framework for oil and gas to contribute to both the short- and long-term energy supply future for the UK.
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Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation after a pigeon was killed in a wildlife crime incident in Plover Drive, Oxford, at around 6.50pm on August 24.
The force said that two teenage boys used a catapult to knock a pigeon from a tree before the bird was attacked by three smaller terrier-type dogs that were with them.
READ MORE: Oxford probe launched after ‘shocking assault’ of 60-year-old by teen boys
Descriptions of the two boys have been released with the first described as wearing a black sleeveless vest, dark-coloured bottoms, black trainers with white soles.
In addition he had a black-and-white flat-peaked cap worn backwards and was believed to have been carrying a catapult.
The second was reportedly wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and blue jeans, with brown, medium-length hair.
He was also seen carrying an unidentified item.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who may recognise those involved from the descriptions above.
READ MORE: Police race to ‘fear for welfare’ incident by Oxford BMW factory
“We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the Plover Drive area between 6.30pm and 7pm on 24 August that may assist our investigation.
“Wildlife crime has a real impact on our communities, and we take reports of offences against wild animals and birds seriously.
” If you have any information, please contact the force on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260448136.”
Following the incident in North Way, Barton on Monday, August 17, Thames Valley Police said it wanted the public’s help to locate Oxford local Arthur McDonagh.
The force warned the public not to approach the 33-year-old, but instead to call the police if they see him.
READ MORE: Probe launched as Oxford woman ‘assaulted’ in Vauxhall Astra car
On Tuesday, August 18, a spokesperson said: “Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help to locate Arthur McDonagh, aged 33, from Oxford.
“He is wanted in connection with a serious assault that happened in North Way, Barton, yesterday (August 17).
“Arthur is known to frequent the Garsington area.
“If you have any information about his whereabouts call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 43260426989.
“If you see him, do not approach him, but instead call 999.”
Well over a week on, the police has revealed that Mr McDonagh remains at large.
The spokesperson said today (Saturday, August 29): “Arthur McDonagh remains outstanding; our enquiries are ongoing to locate him.”
During the incident emergency services were called to Barton Village Road at about 11.10am.
The force closed North Way to the junction with Edgecombe Road while officers carried out their enquiries.
A damaged white pickup truck was left in the middle of the street, surrounded by broken glass and with what appeared to be blood splattered on the rear right-hand side.
The white pickup truck could be seen behind the police cordon.
There were multiple reports of different weapons being used during the assault, but Thames Valley Police confirmed that they do not believe an axe, bat or machete were used in the attack.
But police declined to say what weapon they do believe was used in the assault.
The force confirmed a man was taken to hospital for treatment, and that he was in a stable condition, and they thanked the local community for their support.
Following the incident, Mike Rowley, Labour councillor for Barton and Sandhills, said his thoughts were with the victim and praised local officers for their response.
READ MORE: Public told ‘DO NOT APPROACH’ amid Oxford attack manhunt
He said: “My thoughts are with the victim as the incident sounds horrible.
“I am in touch with the police, but I’m not expecting any updates yet as their priority is finding the offender and making sure there aren’t any further offences.”
Appeals for public help in finding individuals by the police can relate to suspects, witnesses or others who may have vital information in relation to the incident.
They do not mean the person is to blame nor do they imply guilt.
The alert comes ahead of the September ’76 number plate change.
New research from temporary car insurance provider Tempcover reveals that one in five drivers would not check if they were insured before test-driving a vehicle in a private sale.
With more than 4.3 million private used car sales each year in the UK, Tempcover analysis warns that uninsured test drives could top 2 million annually.
The warning follows SMMT Q2 data showing that the UK used car market recorded more than 2 million transactions, including a 67% rise in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales.
Test drives of used electric vehicles are becoming more thorough, with 43% of drivers saying they drive EVs further and for longer than petrol or diesel models, averaging an extra 2.8 miles per test.
This is often to assess battery health and charging capabilities, but driving without insurance remains illegal and carries serious penalties.
What is the punishment for being caught test-driving without correct insurance?
Motorists caught test-driving without valid cover face a £300 fine and six penalty points, or, if prosecuted in court, an unlimited fine, six to eight points, and a criminal record.
Many drivers are unaware that ‘Driving Other Cars’ (DOC) clauses in standard policies rarely cover private test drives.
Tempcover also found that 43% of motorists did not know they could purchase temporary insurance for as little as an hour to stay protected during a test drive.
This marks a sharp rise from an estimated 1.3 million during the September ’75 plate change and 1.5 million during the March ’26 plate change.
Jake Lambert, a temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, said: “Second-hand electric cars are changing hands at an increasing pace, and buyers looking to grab an EV bargain during the September ’76 number plate change are likely to take longer, diagnostic test drives – covering more miles and driving to public charging points to vet battery performance before handing over their hard earned money.
“These extended test drives make proper insurance coverage even more crucial.
“Private sellers have no legal obligation to insure a buyer, and relying on outdated policy assumptions without verifying cover leaves drivers at risk of taking to the road without valid insurance.
“Securing fully comprehensive, temporary insurance is a simple fix that protects buyers from severe out-of-pocket costs if an accident happens.”
How does the September ’76 number plate change impact this?
UK number plates change twice a year in March and September for newly-registered vehicles, which are associated with different numbers.
Recommended reading:
March releases use the last two digits of the year, so 2026 becomes 26, while September releases add 50 to the same figure, turning 2026 into 76.
There is usually a seasonal rush when the new plates comes in which is typically driven by sellers looking to avoid the immediate depreciation that comes with an older registration.
As a result, this period may see an increased period of test drive taking place for private car sales.
Have you checked to see if you have the correct insurance to test-drive a car? Let us know in the comments.
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