by Niall Christie

Scotland editor

THE government is under pressure from trade unions and environmental campaigners to speed up transition plans for the North Sea energy sector. 

Conservative ministers were accused today of failing to show climate leadership after the government’s new deal for the offshore energy sector failed to rule out licensing further oil and gas drilling.

The North Sea Transition Deal includes targets for the oil and gas sector to reduce emissions over the next decade, and up to £16 billion of investment to support jobs and cut pollution.