MOST National readers don’t think the UK Government should allow the Cambo oil field off the coast of Shetland to go ahead. 

The Cambo oil field, co-owned by Siccar Point Energy and Shell, is due to start drilling in 2022.

The project plans to start by drilling for 150 million barrels of oil – equivalent to the annual pollution from 16 coal-fired power stations.

There are an estimated 800 million barrels of oil that will be produced over the next 25 years at the site, causing outrage amongst environmentalists. 

READ MORE: Cambo oil field: What does it mean for climate targets?​  

The impact of producing and burning that amount of crude oil is equal to 10 times Scotland’s emissions. 

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has said that to meet the 1.5°C target in the Paris Agreement, there should be no more development of new oil, gas, or coal. 

The National:

Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) are in charge of approving the licence for the project, but there have been calls for the UK Government to step in and stop it going ahead amid fears of the impact on climate targets.

And National readers agree, out of 168 votes on our poll asking if the UK government should allow the oil field to go ahead 73% said no, while 27% said yes. 

READ MORE: Cambo oil field: 'Resolutely reject' Shetland field UK told

Some readers said that the Scottish Government should be the one making the decision, and others that focus should be on renewable energy as we aim to reach climate targets. 

The UK government aims to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050 – when the Cambo oil field is due to finish production. In Scotland, the Government is aiming for Net Zero in 2045. 

The National:

It comes as a renowned climate scientist and a coalition of activists have called on the UK Government to “resolutely reject” the plans.

Dr James Hansen, a former Nasa scientist who testified about climate change in 1988, and groups representing young people, parents and activists across the UK are calling on the proposals to be ditched.

READ MORE: Cambo oil field: Scottish Greens call UK an 'embarrassment'

The UK Government has been slammed for their “hypocrisy” ahead of COP26, a UN climate conference, which is due to be held in Glasgow later this year.