In the sitting of the House of Keys on Tuesday 07 November 2023, Mr Thomas MHK questioned the Minister for the Department of Infrastructure (“DOI”) as to the requirements for Crogga, a private company with a licence to explore for fossil fuels in the Isle of Man seabed, to undertake a 3D seismic survey. In the Minister’s response, it was disclosed that: -
i. Crogga had requested a variation of the licence in order that it may drill a well before undertaking the seismic survey.
ii. The DOI has taken advice from nameless “experienced industry advisers”.
iii. The DOI would make its decision soon.
The Isle of Man Green Party had a material concern that pursuing the exploration and exploitation of fossil fuels in the Isle of Man seabed runs directly contrary to our international and local commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (see our letter to the DOI of May 2022 HERE). Furthermore, the proposed variation to the licence (if granted) would expose the people of the Isle of Man to yet more risk in creating shortcuts to a process that the Green Party asserts should not be taking place in any event.
In a context where the United Nations World Meteorological Organisation, has said that so far for 2023, the global mean temperature is the highest ever recorded (1.43 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels), the DOI Minister is considering now granting a variation to Crogga’s licence that the Manx Geological Survey has indicated would run “counter to industry good practice and presents extra risks”.
To take action on this issue, the Isle of Man Green Party wrote to the DOI Minister on Friday 10 November 2023 (see HERE) setting out our concerns to the Minister and inviting the Minister to confirm that in making his decision, he will take into account: -
i. The public duties under Climate Change Act 2021;
ii. The objective of the Paris Agreement;
iii. The Human Rights Act 2001, following the Dutch Supreme Court judgment in Urgenda;
iv. The Climate Emergency Declaration; and,
v. UK Industry Guidance.
On this matter of fundamental public importance, we will publish any response received on our website.