We welcome the Government’s publication of updated guidance on environmental impact assessments for new oil and gas fields, providing greater certainty to the sector. Given that each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis and the Government has not shared how factors will be weighted in its assessment, transparency surrounding the process could be improved, especially as this is an area of public interest. (Conclusion, Paragraph 75) 56

We welcome the Government’s publication of updated guidance on environmental impact assessments for new oil and gas fields, providing greater certainty to the sector. Given that each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis and the Government has not shared how factors will be weighted in its assessment, transparency surrounding the process could be improved, especially as this is an area of public interest. (Conclusion, Paragraph 75) 56 Type: conclusion | Number: 8 | Response status: accepted Government response: Each individual project will be considered on its merits, in line with the applicable Regulations and relevant guidance. When reaching a decision as to whether agreement should be given to the grant of consent the Secretary of State will consider the environmental effects of the project (as required