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How a campaign to keep fossil fuels underground is gaining traction

A radical new proposal wants the world to sign up to a deal to halt development of new oil, gas and coal fields. It is already backed by thousands of scientists and more than 70 city governments, says Graham Lawton

By Graham Lawton

3 May 2023

2H56E72 Activists from Friends of the Earth during a demonstration calling for an end to all new oil and gas projects in the North Sea, starting with the proposed Cambo oil field, outside the UK Government's Cop26 hub during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. Picture date: Sunday November 7, 2021.

PA Images/Alamy/Jane Barlow

JUST over a year ago, climate activists were breathing a sigh of relief at news that a planned new oilfield in the North Sea, Cambo, was to be shelved after investor Shell pulled out. At the time, New Scientist speculated this might “mark the end of new oil and gas extraction in the region”.

If only. Last month, the UK government confirmed that it will press ahead with new rounds of licensing for oil and gas. A decision is also pending on an oilfield called Rosebank, the largest undeveloped resource in the North Sea.

On the surface this looks …

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