The Co-operative is campaigning for a clean energy revolution. As part of this campaign we're calling for a moratorium on the development of shale gas and 'fracking' in the UK.
In January 2011, we called for a moratorium on the development of shale gas and 'fracking' in the UK, at least until all the associated risks are fully exposed and understood.
See opposite to learn about shale gas and 'fracking'.
We called for a moratorium after our shale gas report, from the internationally respected Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, raised serious questions about the environmental and human health risks of shale gas development, including:
- the release of significant quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere - the exploitation of an additional fossil fuel resource will likely increase energy use, increasing greenhouse gas emissions further;
- potential groundwater contamination associated with chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process and the mobilisation of heavy metals and hydrocarbons;
- the extraction of significant quantities of water for hydraulic fracturing.
The exploitation of shale gas in the UK poses additional challenges.
Currently, the environmental regulations in place to protect our groundwater sources do not explicitly mention hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and appear unlikely to require shale gas projects to obtain an Environmental Permit or undertake a form Environmental Impact Assessment.
In addition, a second 'dash for gas' will likely delay the introduction of renewable energy alternatives, at a time when we should be harnessing the UK's natural resources to make the UK greener and our energy future more secure.
The report concluded that, until a sufficient evidence base is developed, the only responsible action is a precautionary approach to shale gas development in the UK.
More details can be found in the downloads below:
Shale gas and fracking explained
Gas shale is a sedimentary rock composed of clay minerals and tiny fragments of other minerals, especially quartz and calcite.
Shale gas is natural gas that is found, in and can be extracted from, gas shale.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking is a method used to extract shale gas. It involves the injection of millions of litres of water, chemicals and sand. This occurs at very high pressure, creating fractures in the shale that allow natural gas to escape.
In the United States, production of shale gas expanded five fold between 1990 and 2008 and it is predicted that production will expand further to meet a significant proportion of US gas demand in the next 20 years.
The rapid growth of shale gas production in the US has raised interest in the UK and Europe, with a number of businesses beginning exploratory activity, particularly on the Fylde coast of northwest England and in south Wales. In response, a number of local groups have started to campaign in opposition to fracking.
Back to our Frack Free Future page for ways to get involved or see our reports and resources page.