London Mayor Sadiq Khan urges Andy Burnham to strengthen climate action amid North Sea oil debate

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that the “terrifying scenes” of this summer’s drought, wildfires and heatwaves prove that climate denial is not only delusional but deadly. In a Guardian column, Khan urged the UK government to adopt a revamped climate strategy and to cut the country’s reliance on oil and gas, arguing that the nation must be brought back on track to meet net‑zero targets.

Khan’s appeal comes amid growing speculation that Manchester’s new mayor, Andy Burnham, may endorse the Jackdaw and Rosebank offshore wind projects, which could help the UK reduce fossil‑fuel dependence. He called on Burnham’s administration to reaffirm its commitment to net‑zero and to support such renewable initiatives, framing the summer’s extreme weather as a stark reminder of the urgency of decisive climate action.