Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland

August 2026

FAO Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero,

RE. Proposed Developments at Rosebank and Jackdaw

Children and young people have continuously raised their concerns to us about the current and future effects of climate change in Scotland and around the world. They have voiced to us how important it is that steps are taken to tackle the combined nature and climate crisis’s we face.

‘Climate change is really important. It’s pointless working on everything ese if the planet is not going to be liveable’ (Child, CYPCS Strategic Plan consultation response)

This is why it is important for us to write to you at the point where decisions are being made regarding the proposed developments of oil fields at Rosebank and gas fields at Jackdaw. We would urge you to take a child’s rights-based approach to this decision making. Climate change is an important child’s rights issue, impacting on their protected rights under the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the United Kingdom Government has ratified.

The UN Committee on Rights of the Child highlighted the importance of these issues in its most recent General Comment No. 26 (2023) which focused on children’s rights and the environment;

‘The extent and magnitude of the triple planetary crisis, comprising the climate emergency, the collapse of biodiversity and pervasive pollution, is an urgent and systemic threat to children’s rights globally’

The most recent Concluding Observations made by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child with regard to the UK highlighted the need to;

‘Ensure that national policies and programmes on addressing environmental protection, climate change and disaster risk management… are developed and implemented in accordance with the principles of the Convention and take into account children’s needs and views.’

Children and young people are disproportionately affected by climate change and biodiversity loss. A child rights impact assessment (CRIA) should be carried out about significant proposed developments such as Rosebank and Jackdaw and where negative interactions with children’s rights are identified, clear mitigations should be given.

Numerous organisations have warned that permitting new licences for Rosebank and Jackdaw could have a negative impact on climate change[1]. These concerns must be properly considered alongside potential short-term benefits. Children and young people should be properly involved in decision making processes surrounding these issues. This should be meaningful, effective and not tokenistic. Children and young people are clear that it is their future environment and want to be involved in protecting it.

There are many children and young people already speaking up on their opinions regarding climate change, in Scotland this includes the work of the Children’s Parliament and the Scottish Youth Parliament[2]. One MSYP, from the North East of Scotland highlighted that –

‘For the North East of Scotland one way governments can show commitment to climate justice and tackling climate change is realising a “Just Transition” to renewable energy.’[3]

Urgent and bold action needs to be taken on climate change, and this should be a primary consideration for you when considering whether these developments should go ahead.

[1]Representations_Following_Further_Information_Received_25_September_2025_Redacted.pdf, Rosebank and Jackdaw emissions could cause enough heat deaths to wipe out equivalent of Inverness | Oxfam Scotland

[2] About Our Climate Change Project – Climate Changemakers

[3] The UK is being accused of being a Climate Criminal, here’s why we must not be found guilty… – Scottish Youth Parliament