Over 200 major artists, including Thom Yorke of Radiohead, members of Massive Attack, and Robert Smith of The Cure, have signed an open letter calling on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to block the proposed development of the Rosebank oil field in the North Sea.
The letter, written by Brian Eno and addressed to Mr Burnham, cautions him that approving the fossil-fuel project is "what you will be remembered for." Other notable signatories include Paris Paloma, Bobby Gillespie, and Olly Alexander.
Coordinated by campaign organisation Uplift and published by Earth/Percent, a climate change and music foundation co-founded by Brian Eno, the letter argues that the majority of Rosebank's oil would be for export, meaning it would not lower bills or significantly impact UK energy security. It also states that the project would not stem the decline in North Sea jobs.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated that the North Sea remains a vital national asset, supporting jobs, growth, and the UK’s energy security. A spokesperson told NME that oil and gas will continue to play an important role in the energy system for decades to come.
The Rosebank project, the UK’s largest undeveloped oil and gas field, is currently awaiting a decision on its resubmitted approval. A Scottish court ruled in early 2025 that the government's previous approval was unlawful due to its environmental impact assessment.