The call comes the night before a revamped net zero plan that permits North Sea drilling and promotes “unproven” carbon capture.

Hundreds of the UK’s top scientists have urged the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, to pause the licencing of new oil and gas operations in the UK before his expected Thursday unveiling of a new revised net zero and energy security strategy.

Scientists warn that there must be no new oil and gas discoveries if the world is to try to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.

The call, supported by more than 700 scientists, comes the night before the government’s “energy security day,” on which a new net zero policy will be released.

The event’s name had been changed from “green day” to “energy security day” because of a planned emphasis on oil and gas development alongside renewable energy and to placate Conservative rightwingers. Aberdeen, the hub of the oil and gas industry in the United Kingdom, has been selected for the launch, though this could alter in response to significant criticism.

On energy security day, the government will announce a continuation of oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, investments in carbon capture and storage totalling approximately £20 billion over the next two decades, and a hopeful boost for renewable energy.

In their letter, the experts warn of the dire repercussions of exceeding 1.5C of global warming, adding that “we already have more than enough coal, oil, and gas to exceed what is regarded as our best chance of maintaining a livable climate”.

In a letter, they state: “We are writing as members of the research community in climate science and associated fields to urge you to guarantee that the United Kingdom once again exhibits international leadership by acting on the most recent climate catastrophe warnings. This entails incorporating a pledge not to authorise any development of onshore or offshore oil and gas fields in the forthcoming revised net-zero policy.”

The Intergovernmental Panel released a “sobering but devastating” assessment warning that the world has a slim chance of avoiding catastrophic levels of global warming.

The letter was organised by Emily Shuckburgh, who stated, “The IPCC made it clear on Monday that rapid action is essential to prevent a climate disaster. Now, not in the past, is the time to invest in future technology. The continued use of fossil fuels threatens us and our children, and their children; instead, we should lead the world in developing a sustainable civilisation based on green innovation. This must be the primary objective of the updated net-zero strategy.”

Ed Miliband stated, “This letter is a further reminder that the mainstream consensus holds that doubling on fossil fuels is the wrong choice. The scientists are adamant that the government must abandon its course of climate destruction.”

The letter casts doubt on the government’s expenditures in carbon capture and storage (CCS), stating that the technology “has not yet been proven on a large scale.” Ministers hope that the emphasis on CCS will create a foundation for sustained oil and gas development.

Ministers have already disregarded some of the most important proposals for a net-zero policy. 

There will be no comprehensive home insulation programme; no requirement for housebuilders to install solar panels on the roofs of new homes; oil and gas companies will continue to be permitted to flare gas.

The letter received over 700 signatures in less than 36 hours, including those of Iain Stewart, professor of geoscience communication at Plymouth University, Michael Jacobs, former government adviser at Sheffield University, and Jane MacNaughton, deputy pro-vice-chancellor at Durham University.

Shuckburgh said this was “a clear indication of the enormous strength of feeling on this issue among British scientists.” They are all experts in their respective disciplines.”

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero representative stated, “The UK decarbonised faster than any other G7 nation while the economy grew.” Our proposals to invest in renewable and nuclear technology will maintain the UK’s global leader in attaining net-zero emissions while increasing the economy and creating nearly 500,000 well-paying green jobs.

“Providing energy security and net zero at the lowest possible cost necessitates investing in domestic energy sources such as offshore wind. In all scenarios, however, the UK will continue utilising oil and gas to reach its net-zero emissions objective by 2050. Even the Committee on Climate Change acknowledges that there may be emissions advantages to replacing imports with domestic production.