Over 100 UK musicians and artists — including Bicep, SHERELLE, Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Brian Eno, Confidence Man, Daniel Avery, Moxie, HAAi, Shanti Celeste, and Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall — have signed an open letter urging the UK government to reject the controversial Rosebank oil and gas field project.
The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, was organized by the Brian Eno-founded initiative EarthPercent in partnership with the Stop Rosebank campaign.
What Is the Rosebank Oil Field?
Located roughly 80 miles west of Shetland, Rosebank is the largest untapped oil reserve in the UK. Norwegian energy company Equinor became its official operator in 2019, and in 2023, the Conservative government approved its development.
Experts warn that extracting Rosebank’s estimated 500 million barrels of oil and gas could generate more CO₂ emissions in a single year than the combined emissions of the 28 lowest-income countries.
The open letter states that the project is “incompatible with safe climate limits” and calls on the government to reject any further exploitation of the field.
Artists Call for Climate Justice
The letter emphasizes that communities least responsible for the climate crisis are facing its harshest consequences — including flooding, extreme heat, rising sea levels, storms, and food insecurity.
Rejecting Rosebank, the signatories argue, would be “a vital step towards climate justice” and help restore the UK’s credibility as a climate leader.
Brian Eno’s Message
In the press release, Brian Eno said:
“Fossil fuels are not only unsustainable, they are actively destructive. Burning them accelerates the climate crisis, endangers our futures, and undermines the UK’s credibility as a climate leader. The Prime Minister must listen — reject Rosebank, and stop approving new oil and gas developments.”
He added that musicians’ creativity is deeply tied to the state of the world, noting:
“We stand together in calling for a just and sustainable future.”
Music Industry’s Growing Climate Action
This is not the first time artists have joined forces for environmental causes. In April, over 30 musicians — including Amelie Lens, I. JORDAN, and Steve Angello — incorporated nature’s sounds into new music releases for Earth Day.
Meanwhile, Massive Attack are preparing their ACT 1.5 show in Bristol on August 25, billed as “the lowest carbon show of its size ever staged”.