LEADING climate academics and campaigners have demanded that the Tory government reject plans for a new oil field near Shetland.

Industry regulator the Oil & Gas Authority, part of the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, is considering whether to approve Shell’s plans  to develop a significant new oil field in the North Sea. 

The Cambo heavy crude field off the coast of the Shetland Islands contains over 800 million barrels of oil. 

If approved, the project would produce oil and gas until 2050, with its first phase creating emissions equivalent to operating 16 to 18 coal-fired power stations for a year. 

Dr James Hansen, one of the world’s foremost experts on climate change, joined forces with campaigners representing young people, parents and activists across Britain by calling on the government to “resolutely reject” the proposals.

He said: “The UK government simply cannot aspire to international leadership on climate if its ministers blithely press forward on major fossil-fuel projects.” 

Campaigners have urged the government to meet communities and to prioritise decommissioning and a transition to renewable energy sources. 

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Ryan Morrison said: “With the right policy and investment, three times as many green jobs can be created than currently exist in these polluting fossil-fuel industries.

“Instead, we see the government in lockstep with big polluters to keep on drilling and delaying the necessary transition away from oil and gas.”

The Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy was contacted for comment.