the document sets out the United Kingdom Government’s formal response to the 2025 consultation on the North Sea’s long‑term energy framework. It outlines a transition plan intended to move the basin from a hydrocarbons resource toward a clean‑energy system. The Government affirms that no new licences for oil and gas exploration will be issued, while allowing production from existing fields to continue through the introduction of Transitional Energy Certificates. These Certificates permit limited development linked to already‑licensed areas without amounting to new exploration, ensuring compliance with climate‑science obligations while maintaining energy stability. The regulatory mandate of the North Sea Transition Authority is recast to replace the former Maximising Economic Recovery duty with a balanced set of statutory objectives requiring the regulator to consider economic value to society, alignment with the Climate Change Act 2008, and the interests of workers, communities and supply chains during the transition. Substantial public investment in offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen networks and essential port infrastructure is presented as necessary to secure investor confidence and accelerate growth in clean‑energy industries. Oversight of the transition will be exercised through a new North Sea Future Board, supported by strengthened worker‑protection measures, expanded training programmes and a dedicated North Sea Jobs Service. The Plan also emphasises international cooperation.