Simone Rossi, the CEO of EDF Energy, has stated that approving new oil and gas projects in the North Sea is a "no-brainer" that does not conflict with the United Kingdom's commitment to net zero emissions. In an interview with the BBC, Rossi argued that because the transition away from fossil fuels will take decades, the country should continue to utilize domestic resources while simultaneously ramping up support for green technologies like heat pumps and electric vehicles.

Rossi specifically pointed to the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields as projects that should receive government approval. His comments align him with a growing number of industry leaders who suggest that domestic production remains necessary during the energy transition. While Rossi emphasizes that these projects are a practical necessity, environmental groups and some climate policy experts have historically argued that any new fossil fuel infrastructure locks the UK into high-carbon dependency, potentially undermining climate targets. The government is currently weighing these competing arguments as it prepares to make final decisions on the proposed fields.