British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signaled that his government will not block the Rosebank oil and gas field development, despite a recent court ruling that has cast doubt over its future.

In a statement made on Thursday February 6, Starmer clarified that while the government had committed to a policy of not issuing new licenses for oil and gas exploration due to concerns about climate change, it would not reverse existing approvals. This stance effectively paves the way for the Rosebank project to continue without government intervention. Starmer also emphasized that oil and gas will remain a part of the UK's energy mix for the foreseeable future, despite efforts to transition to renewable energy sources.

"I can't preempt the decision, but you know, we did say that where a licence had already been granted, we wouldn't interfere with them," Starmer told Sky News. He added, "I'll be open with you, oil and gas is part of the future mix for decades to come."

The project, located off the coast of the Shetland Islands, had previously been approved, but its future was thrown into uncertainty after environmental groups challenged the approval. They argued that the development contradicted the UK’s climate commitments.

The Rosebank project, led by Equinor ASA in partnership with Ithaca Energy, is one of the last major untapped oil fields in the UK’s waters, holding an estimated 300 million barrels of oil. The project has become a flashpoint for climate activists who have called on the government to halt the development of new fossil fuel projects in the country. Environmentalists argue that further investment in oil and gas extraction runs counter to the UK's stated goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

However, the Prime Minister’s remarks underscore the challenges facing the government as it balances its climate goals with economic realities.

The Rosebank field had already been granted a license to develop, and the recent court decision sent the matter back to the government for a final determination. Climate campaigners had hoped the court’s ruling would prompt the government to block the development, but Starmer’s comments suggest that the project will move forward, despite growing calls from activists to abandon fossil fuel projects.

Shell’s Jackdaw gas field, another project under scrutiny, also faced challenges after a court overturned its approval. However, like Rosebank, Starmer’s government appears poised to allow these developments to continue, adhering to its previous position of not revoking existing licenses.