Miatta Fahnblulleh, newly appointed secretary of state for energy and net zero, began her tenure under immediate pressure from climate activists seeking to influence her key policy decisions on fossil fuel extraction. Within her first two days in office, protesters from Fossil Free London gathered outside her department’s headquarters, urging her to halt new oil and gas drilling projects. Demonstrators, dressed as firefighters and carrying placards with messages opposing new fossil fuel permits, highlighted the urgency surrounding the government's pending decisions on North Sea energy developments.
Fahnblulleh, the Labour MP for Peckham and former head of the New Economics Foundation (NEF), brings a background as a radical economist with a strong focus on climate justice. Her appointment signals continuity rather than a shift from the approach taken under her predecessor, Ed Miliband, who previously described the proposed Rosebank oil field license as “climate vandalism.” The Rosebank and Jackdaw projects, located off the coast of Scotland, fall outside the current government moratorium on new North Sea drilling licenses because their applications predate the current administration.
Inside government circles, analysts suggest that Fahnblulleh’s expertise could play a decisive role in evaluating claims that further fossil fuel extraction is crucial for the United Kingdom’s energy security. A source familiar with her appointment described her as highly capable, noting her rapid ascent to cabinet level and her ability to grasp complex economic and environmental issues. This view implies confidence she will navigate the competing demands of energy resilience and climate commitments.
During her six years leading the NEF from 2017 to 2023, Fahnblulleh was involved in crafting policies emphasizing the transition to a decarbonized economy. The think tank, which played a central role in coining the term "Green New Deal," advocates for addressing climate change alongside social and economic justice. In a 2021 report produced jointly with Friends of the Earth, the NEF called for a complete cessation of new drilling in the North Sea, revocation of undeveloped licenses, and rejection of further development consents.
Environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth, have welcomed Fahnblulleh’s appointment but urge firm action against existing and proposed fossil fuel projects. Imogen Dow, energy lead for Friends of the Earth, emphasized the need for the secretary of state to maintain resistance to expansion of fossil fuel exploration, specifically citing the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields. Dow underscored the importance of advancing equitable access to affordable clean energy and building on Miliband’s initiatives to increase renewable power capacity.
Fahnblulleh’s political rise has been notable, with commentators identifying her as the sole MP from the 2024 intake to receive a full cabinet position so far. Seen as a prominent figure in progressive policy circles, her rapid advancement aligns with earlier predictions positioning her as a key player in shaping the UK’s future energy and environmental agenda.