TRADE union leaders joined climate activists in protest outside Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) today to call on the government to ditch the Rosebank oil field.

Situated 80 miles west of Shetland, the 500 million-barrel field was approved by the last Tory government for exploitation, only for the decision to then be overturned in the Court of Session for not having considered the effects of the emissions it would create over its lifetime.

As Norwegian state-owned Equinor awaits a decision on its fresh application to tap the field, over 400 trade unionists from BFAWU, PCS, UCU, NEU and IWGB have added their names to an open letter calling on the government to reject the bid.

The letter was launched as demonstrators concerned not only over the environmental impact of the development, but the potential £200 million windfall it could net for the Delek Group — an Israeli fuel conglomerate flagged by the UN for human rights violations in Palestine — converged on DESNZ offices where they heard messages of support from a London firefighter and PCS assistant general secretary John Moloney.

Fossil Free London director Robin Wells commented: “When we witness scenes of disastrous climate impacts on our phones or TV screens, like those coming out of Indonesia, we know Big Oil is to blame. 

“From firefighters to teachers to climate campaigners, people from every section of society oppose new oil and gas, and are united: the government must protect the people and Stop Rosebank. 

“We stand alongside workers and trade unions today and every day, to demand a just transition and not more of Big Oil’s damage.”

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero was contacted for comment.