Global Sustainability Institute: UK's oil, gas and coal 'gone in five years'

In just over five years Britain may have to rely on Norway, Qatar and Russia for its oil, gas and coal supplies.

15:47 16 May 2014

The Global Sustainability Institute said that Britain has just 5.2 years of oil, 4.5 years of coal and 3 years of its own gas remaining. 

 

The institute warned that shortages will make the country even more dependent on Norway, Qatar, and Russia, which according to BBC environment analyst Roger Harrabin, has more than 50 years of oil, more than 100 years of gas and more than 500 years of coal left, on current consumption.

 

The report also revealed that France has less than one year to go before it totally runs out of all three fossil fuels. 

 

Dr Aled Jones, director of the institute, said: "The EU is becoming ever more reliant on our resource-rich neighbours such as Russia and Norway, and this trend will only continue unless decisive action is taken.”

 

The institute's Prof Victor Anderson added: "Coal, oil and gas resources in Europe are running down and we need alternatives.

 

"The UK urgently needs to be part of a Europe-wide drive to expand renewable energy sources such as wave, wind, tidal, and solar power."

 

However, the government recently confirmed budget cuts for large-scale solar energy. The Conservatives added that there will be no funding for new onshore wind farms if they win the next election.