The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) has come under scrutiny for its latest report promoting an expansion of oil and gas production in the North Sea. This report is seen as an attempt to align with fossil fuel industry narratives, despite the significant greenhouse gas emissions it would likely generate. Critics argue that the TBI report, funded by sources including the Saudi government and Donald Trump ally Larry Ellison, lacks credibility and presents a biased analysis of the climate crisis.

The report's call to abandon the UK's commitment to largely decarbonising the electricity sector by 2030, ostensibly to support the energy needs of AI datacentres, raises substantial concerns. The assumption that renewable energy is too expensive compared to fossil fuels fails to consider the decreasing costs of renewables, which are often cheaper than building new gas-fired power stations. This oversight adds to the critique that the report misrepresents the current energy landscape and discounts the need for a genuine shift towards sustainable energy sources.

Overall, the TBI's approach is seen as a rehashing of traditional fossil fuel arguments, which could hinder progress in addressing climate change. The presence of substantial influence from fossil fuel stakeholders suggests a conflict of interest, calling into question the motivations behind the report and its viability in shaping future energy policy, especially in the context of urgent climate action.