Natural Gas, Crude Oil and Coal are created through decomposing organic matter. Found underground fossil fuels can be burned for energy as they contain hydrogen and carbon. They are referred to as non-renewable energy as they will run out or will not be renewable in our lifetime.
Carbon dioxide is released when fossil fuels are burned, and this contributes to greenhouse gases which trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere.
MAIN TEXT The UK Governments, 2020 UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Final Figures report states: “In 2020, net territorial greenhouse gas emissions in the UK were estimated to be 405.5 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), a decrease of 9.5% compared to the 2019 figure of 447.9 million tonnes and 49.7% lower than they were in 1990. Carbon dioxide made up around 79% of the 2020 total.” Fossil fuel dependency in the UK stood at 78.3 percent in 2021. Fossil fuels used for energy production has fallen in recent years, especially for areas such as coal however, in many key industries it’s still considered indispensable.
Scottish Government’s, Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, 2023 states: ““While we expect oil and gas to remain a component of Scotland’s energy system while it transitions to a zero carbon system, particularly in industrial energy usage, we are clear that overall use of fossil fuels across heating and transport sectors must decline and that alternative technology and energy solutions are available.”
The situation has been complicated by the Russians invasion of Ukraine highlighting the relicense of the west on the gas they supply. In 2021 Russia supplied the EU with 40% of its natural Gas supplies. The UK imported just 4% of its needs and has advised it plans to phase out Russian oil imports.
Since COP26 concluded in November 2021 several major UK fossil fuel projects have been approved by the UK Government, while about 50 further schemes are thought to be in the pipeline between now and 2025.
This section provides examples of a research, teaching or innovation taking place at Robert Gordon University and/or The National Subsea Centre, Aberdeen related to this topic.
Governing the low-carbon energy transition in fossil fuel-dependent coastal regions
UK Government - How the government will implement its policy on support for the fossil fuel energy sector overseas https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-the-government-will-implement-its-policy-on-support-for-the-fossil-fuel-energy-sector-overseas