UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today announced the approval of 100 new oil and gas exploration and production licences in the North Sea in line with the 2050 net zero carbon emissions target. Mr Sunak said that carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use will be captured by new carbon capture facilities and stored under the North Sea. The Conservative government says the move will "strengthen the country's energy security, while new carbon capture and storage projects will create tens of thousands of jobs and capitalise on this independence to bring more affordable and clean energy to British homes and businesses".