Energy secretary Ed Davey: Remember a few days ago, when I was suggesting that fossil fuels were going to kill us all? I just remembered that North Sea oil and gas is "a vital asset" that deserves "a vote of confidence"

Campaigners criticise ‘short-sighted’ government energy policy after oil boost - Blue and Green Tomorrow

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has been criticised by environmental campaigners for a “short-sighted” approach to future economic growth in the energy sector, after it gave consent to a £4.6 billion oil development in the North Sea. Statoil has been granted permission to begin drilling at the Mariner oil field, with the government providing tax breaks in order to help it produce its target of 55,000 barrels of oil a day.

Energy secretary Ed Davey called  North Sea oil and gas “a vital asset”, adding that Statoil was providing the sector with a “vote of confidence” through the multi-billion pound project.

Flashback: Davey takes fight to 'dogmatic' and 'blinkered' climate sceptics - 12 Feb 2013 - News from BusinessGreen

'Those who deny climate change and demand a halt to emissions reduction and mitigation work, want us to take a huge gamble with the future of every human being on the planet'