07 Mar Offshore energy workers request public ownership in UK’s move to a net-zero future
A combination of workers, unions and climate professionals aim to protect the transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy resources. Employees in the UK offshore oil, gas and renewable industries have called for public ownership of energy businesses to ensure that the transition to net zero protects jobs, the environment and our communities.
The announcement comes with other requests to the government from a coalition of offshore workers, unions and climate campaigners that intend to shift the industry from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy.
A study of over a thousand offshore workers for the report “Our Power: Offshore Workers” discovered that 90% of respondents supported its demands, which consisted of a government-backed jobs guarantee; an offshore training passport supporting professionals to retrain in the renewables industry; a commitment to incentivise investment in ports and factories making products like wind turbines and equal pay for migrant workers.
There are growing concerns over the pace of the nation’s transition away from fossil fuels and its capacity to deliver green jobs in manufacturing, production and operations. Research from the consultancy PwC shows that the number of jobs created in the renewable energy industry is increasing four times faster than the UK employment market. However, approximately a third of these roles are in London and the South-East, especially in professional and scientific positions. The report highlights that the public ownership of energy companies would help ensure a fair energy transition, providing better job security and conditions.
Labour leader Keir Starmer stated that if his party gains power, it would assemble a publicly owned energy company called Great British Energy to invest in clean UK power. Labour is yet to release comprehensive details of this plan.
A representative for transport and accommodation for workers based in the North Sea off Aberdeen explained that public ownership represented decent contracts, and permanent work and workers would be treated more fairly. The representative emphasised that it’s less dangerous to our working environment than having someone working who is stressed or concerned about their livelihood.
Earlier this year, Chris Skidmore, the head of the net zero review for the UK Government, said we should look at replacing the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas with a net-zero fund that ringfences investment specifically for offshore wind and other low carbon projects. Workers’ demands have gained the support of Unions RMT, Unite Scotland and Unison Scotland and climate group Platform, Uplife and Friends of the Earth Scotland. Additional demands include a call for a windfall tax to be permanent, increased grievance processes and a sovereign wealth fund.
Mary Church, the head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, explained that a lack of planning and support towards the transition to renewables left employees disconnected and dependent on oil and gas businesses. The National Audit Office recently warned that ministers’ efforts to tackle the energy bill crisis has left the UK potentially at risk of missing the goal of sourcing all electricity generation from low-carbon sources by 2035.
A UK Government representative said that plans to decarbonise the oil and gas industry are completely just. The representative continued to explain that the North Sea is a critical part of increasing our energy security and independence and our transition deal supporting plans for a low-carbon future while generating thousands of new jobs.
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