Energy secretary Ed Miliband only consulted fossil fuel companies, including oil giants BP, Eni and Equinor between the general election and the government’s announcement to pump almost £22bn into controversial carbon capture and storage programmes, documents show.
“My concern with the number of these meetings that have been with fossil fuel companies is that the government is listening to lobbyists who are telling them that they should be allowed to continue burning gas with carbon capture and storage attached,” she said.
Some scientists say the carbon capture and storage can be used to decarbonise industries that would take years to clean up - but campaigners say it just prolongs the oil and gas industry.
“Carbon capture, usage and storage is vital for decarbonisation while boosting our energy independence, and the Climate Change Committee describes it as a necessity not an option for reaching our climate goals,” the spokesperson said.
