Latest news with #DaveReay
Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Just transition? Why Aberdeen is facing mass job losses like 1980s coal communities
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish Government has no plan for a 'just transition' that could save thousands of energy industry jobs as oil supplies dwindle and the country moves towards net zero. That's the explosive claim made by none other than the Scottish Government's own Just Transition Commission and, presumably, they should know. It is estimated that some 2,000 North Sea jobs have been lost over the past 18 months, and there are fears that up to 4,000 more could go in the next two years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Professor Dave Reay, the commission's co-chair, said it felt like 'we are sleepwalking into an unjust transition' that could cause lasting damage to the economy and communities. 'We are at risk of losing people to overseas investors, to other countries, when we need those people here. If we want a growing economy, a net-zero transition, we need those skilled workers,' he said. 'There's a real risk now that we are looking at a repeat of previous unjust transitions in coal and steel...' Jobs being lost in the North Sea oil and gas industry are not being replaced quickly enough by replacements in the renewables sector (Picture: Andy Buchanan/WPA pool) | Getty Images World-leading marine renewables industry? This report should be a major wake-up call to both Scotland's governments and the industry. For too long, warm words have been used to mask the lack of substantive action. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We have known for years that the North Sea's reserves are running out and also about the need to reduce carbon emissions. It has also been clear that Scotland has a real chance to use the expertise in marine engineering, built up over decades, to create a world-leading marine renewables industry. However, as Reay pointed out, if those skilled workers lose their oil industry jobs without others to go to, whether in renewables or fossil fuels, many will decide to move to other, more enlightened countries. This should be no surprise for followers of the SNP's performance in government, given their dismal record of failing to 'deliver' on their promises, from climate change targets to ferries and the dualling the A9. But news about Labour's much vaunted public company, GB Energy, also seems to have gone decidedly quiet.
The Herald Scotland
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Oil and gas workers face ‘unjust transition' with no plan
'Without urgent and ambitious action, investment and Government leadership, Scotland's offshore transition will not take place fairly, with harmful effects on workers, communities, employers and the regional economy of the north east that could otherwise be avoided,' the report said. The independent advisory body warned an unjust transition is possible despite it being known for decades that the North Sea oil and gas sector would decline. Oil and gas workers in Aberdeen told the commission they fear a 'cliff edge' for their livelihoods. Oil and gas workers face a 'cliff edge', the report warns (stock pic) (Image: ANGELA CATLIN) The report said: 'In the context of global economic volatility, the pace and sequencing of the transition will be unjust if determined mainly by turbulent commodity prices. 'The fragmented nature of both the fossil fuel and renewables industries makes effective planning more challenging, but also more critical. 'To avoid harms to workers and communities and support new industry, governments must now take a bold, innovative approach that maximises leverage to set standards, establish pathways, create jobs, and manage shocks.' The commission said more needs to be done to support jobs in the offshore renewable energy sector, including wind, decommissioning and green hydrogen – areas it said are expected to see 'rapid' growth. The expert group said: 'Renewables have a key role to play in delivering a just transition provided robust minimum standards are achieved across the industry for pay, conditions, health and safety regulation and union recognition.' It called for a 'clear plan' to be developed for building up Scotland's renewables supply chain that could help mitigate the job losses seen in the fossil fuel sector. It said oil and gas workers need a 'credible offer' from the Government to retrain in green industries. The 'Just Transition' is seeking to move on from oil and gas (Image: NQ) As well as offshore energy, the report calls on government to take forward proposals for just transition plans to cover all regions of Scotland as well as specific high-emission sites such as Mossmorran and Sullom Voe. The report was launched on Thursday in Aberdeen city centre. The Commission is an independent expert advisory group with members drawn from business, industry, trade unions, environmental and community groups and academia. READ MORE: Israeli-owned firm takes control of UK's biggest gas field Political and fiscal instability leading to 'deindustrialisation' of Aberdeen It aims to make sure the benefits and burdens of the major changes involved in Scotland's climate neutral transition are shared as fairly as possible, and is tasked by the Scottish Government with making an annual assessment of progress towards a just transition to a low carbon economy. Professor Dave Reay, co-chair of the commission, said: 'There's a real risk now that we are looking at a repeat of previous unjust transitions in coal and steel, where a lack of anticipatory planning left workers and communities abandoned at the sharp end of industrial change.' Satwat Rehman, fellow co-chair of the commission, added: 'As the role of oil and gas in the economy of the north east inevitably continues to phase down, we need our governments to work together urgently on a credible plan to support workers whose livelihoods are tied to fossil fuels, from drill crews to caterers, move into new roles.
The National
22-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Oil and gas workers face ‘unjust transition', report finds
SCOTLAND is on course for an 'unjust transition', a report has found, with the Government accused of having no plan for oil and gas workers. The Just Transition Commission said urgent action is needed to ensure the transition from fossil fuels to renewables happens fairly. 'Without urgent and ambitious action, investment and Government leadership, Scotland's offshore transition will not take place fairly, with harmful effects on workers, communities, employers and the regional economy of the north east that could otherwise be avoided,' the report said. READ MORE: 20 Scottish mums start hunger strike in protest over Israel's Gaza genocide The independent advisory body warned an unjust transition is possible despite it being known for decades that the North Sea oil and gas sector would decline. Oil and gas workers in Aberdeen told the commission they fear a 'cliff edge' for their livelihoods. The report said: 'In the context of global economic volatility, the pace and sequencing of the transition will be unjust if determined mainly by turbulent commodity prices. 'The fragmented nature of both the fossil fuel and renewables industries makes effective planning more challenging, but also more critical. 'To avoid harms to workers and communities and support new industry, governments must now take a bold, innovative approach that maximises leverage to set standards, establish pathways, create jobs, and manage shocks.' The commission said more needs to be done to support jobs in the offshore renewable energy sector, including wind, decommissioning and green hydrogen – areas it said are expected to see 'rapid' growth. The expert group said: 'Renewables have a key role to play in delivering a just transition provided robust minimum standards are achieved across the industry for pay, conditions, health and safety regulation and union recognition.' It called for a 'clear plan' to be developed for building up Scotland's renewables supply chain that could help mitigate the job losses seen in the fossil fuel sector. It said oil and gas workers need a 'credible offer' from the Government to retrain in green industries. Professor Dave Reay, co-chair of the commission, said: 'There's a real risk now that we are looking at a repeat of previous unjust transitions in coal and steel, where a lack of anticipatory planning left workers and communities abandoned at the sharp end of industrial change.' Satwat Rehman, fellow co-chair of the commission, added: 'As the role of oil and gas in the economy of the north east inevitably continues to phase down, we need our governments to work together urgently on a credible plan to support workers whose livelihoods are tied to fossil fuels, from drill crews to caterers, move into new roles. 'Their skills and experience are hugely valuable and we need a plan to make sure Scotland makes the most of them, whether in our rapidly growing clean energy sector or the wider economy.' A spokesperson for the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: 'We have taken rapid steps to deliver the next generation of good jobs for North Sea workers in a fair and orderly transition as part of our Plan for Change, including by making the biggest investment in offshore wind and two first-of-a-kind carbon capture storage clusters. 'This comes alongside Great British Energy, which has already announced a £300 million investment in British supply chains, unlocking significant investment and helping to create thousands of skilled jobs, progressing our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower.' The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
Rhyl Journal
22-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Oil and gas workers face ‘unjust transition' with no plan, commission warns
The Just Transition Commission said urgent action is needed to ensure the transition from fossil fuels to renewables happens fairly. 'Without urgent and ambitious action, investment and Government leadership, Scotland's offshore transition will not take place fairly, with harmful effects on workers, communities, employers and the regional economy of the north east that could otherwise be avoided,' the report said. The independent advisory body warned an unjust transition is possible despite it being known for decades that the North Sea oil and gas sector would decline. Oil and gas workers in Aberdeen told the commission they fear a 'cliff edge' for their livelihoods. The report said: 'In the context of global economic volatility, the pace and sequencing of the transition will be unjust if determined mainly by turbulent commodity prices. 'The fragmented nature of both the fossil fuel and renewables industries makes effective planning more challenging, but also more critical. 'To avoid harms to workers and communities and support new industry, governments must now take a bold, innovative approach that maximises leverage to set standards, establish pathways, create jobs, and manage shocks.' The commission said more needs to be done to support jobs in the offshore renewable energy sector, including wind, decommissioning and green hydrogen – areas it said are expected to see 'rapid' growth. The expert group said: 'Renewables have a key role to play in delivering a just transition provided robust minimum standards are achieved across the industry for pay, conditions, health and safety regulation and union recognition.' It called for a 'clear plan' to be developed for building up Scotland's renewables supply chain that could help mitigate the job losses seen in the fossil fuel sector. It said oil and gas workers need a 'credible offer' from the Government to retrain in green industries. Professor Dave Reay, co-chair of the commission, said: 'There's a real risk now that we are looking at a repeat of previous unjust transitions in coal and steel, where a lack of anticipatory planning left workers and communities abandoned at the sharp end of industrial change.' Satwat Rehman, fellow co-chair of the commission, added: 'As the role of oil and gas in the economy of the north east inevitably continues to phase down, we need our governments to work together urgently on a credible plan to support workers whose livelihoods are tied to fossil fuels, from drill crews to caterers, move into new roles. 'Their skills and experience are hugely valuable and we need a plan to make sure Scotland makes the most of them, whether in our rapidly growing clean energy sector or the wider economy.' A spokesperson for the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: 'We have taken rapid steps to deliver the next generation of good jobs for North Sea workers in a fair and orderly transition as part of our Plan for Change, including by making the biggest investment in offshore wind and two first-of-a-kind carbon capture storage clusters. 'This comes alongside Great British Energy, which has already announced a £300 million investment in British supply chains, unlocking significant investment and helping to create thousands of skilled jobs, progressing our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower.' The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
