THE SNP have confirmed their support for the continued use of fossil fuels – saying oil and gas remain necessary in efforts to reach net zero carbon emissions.

The UK Government is facing the prospect of a small backbench rebellion as it pushes through new legislation to regularly award new oil and gas licences.

An SNP amendment to the bill noted the “role of the exploitation of fossil fuels in ensuring a just transition” and highlighted that experts on the UK’s independent Climate Change Committee were “clear that in reaching net zero by 2050 oil and gas will still be required”.

The amendment, backed by the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and the party’s energy spokesperson Dave Doogan, would also decline to give a second reading to the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill and condemned the Government for failing to “outline a transition away from fossil fuels”.

Flynn is one of the MPs for Aberdeen, the oil capital of Europe, and the amendment could put him at odds with First Minister Humza Yousaf, who previously accused the UK Government of “climate denial” for approving the exploitation of the Rosebank oil field.

READ MORE: New North Sea oil licences 'make no real difference' to energy prices

He has previously expressed support for the fossil fuel sector in his constituency, and last summer told the Holyrood Sources podcast he did not feel the Scottish Government had a “holistic” approach to the energy transition and warned of the economic dangers of abandoning the industry.

The SNP’s amendment in Westminster may also cause friction at Holyrood, with the Scottish Greens calling the bill a “polluters’ charter”.

Mark Ruskell, the party’s climate and energy spokesperson, said: “World leaders agreed at COP28 that governments had to transition away from oil and gas, not double down on them.

“It is clear this government is only interested in propping up fossil fuel company profits.

“Any MP with even the slightest shred of concern for our environment must vote against this polluters’ charter.”

SNP MP Tommy Sheppard has backed another amendment, put forward by Green MP Caroline Lucas, which noted that the "expansion of fossil fuel production is not in line with net zero". 

Doogan, the SNP's energy spokesperson, said oil and gas would "absolutely be required for many years to come". 

He said: "The UK Government's Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill does not lower fuel bills, deliver energy security or support a just transition to secure jobs for generations to come. And it certainly doesn’t fight climate change.

"Oil and gas will absolutely be required for many years to come but new licenses must only be granted by the UK government after a robust, evidence-based assessment.  

“Granting licences should never be a cheap political stunt by a Prime Minster desperate to hold on to power.

“It is only by following the evidence will we deliver cheaper energy bills, energy security and job security."