A new report by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has revealed that shale gas exploitation by fracking in the UK can go ahead if three key tests are met on methane leaks, gas consumption and carbon budgets.
Titled, ‘The compatibility of UK onshore petroleum with meeting the UK’s carbon budgets’, the report is the result of a new duty under the Infrastructure Act 2015, which requires the committee to advise about the implications of exploitation of onshore petroleum to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Furthermore, the report finds that the implications of exploitation in the UK for greenhouse gas emissions are subject to considerable uncertainty.
It also found that exploitation of gas is not compatible with UK carbon budgets, or the 2050 commitment to reduce emissions by at least 80% unless the tests are satisfied.
CCC member Jim Skea said: "This report sets out the tests that must be met for shale gas development to be consistent with UK carbon budgets.
"Existing uncertainties over the nature of the exploitable shale gas resource and the potential size of a UK industry make it impossible to know how difficult it will be to meet the tests. Clarification of the regulation of the sector will also be needed."
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataCCC said it will monitor steps taken by the government and other relevant agencies to satisfy these tests, and will report publicly on performance against them.
The government’s forthcoming emissions reduction plan will also be assessed by the committee.
In response to the report, Institution of Mechanical Engineers energy and environment head Dr Jenifer Baxter said: "The UK shale gas industry has the potential to contribute to securing energy supplies and creating much-needed jobs within regions such as Lancashire and Yorkshire, particularly in a time of uncertainty around markets, investment and supply.
"The Government and industry must now work to help change public perceptions of shale gas to convince the public that hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of rock for shale gas extraction is safe."
Image: CCS report finds that the implications of exploitation in the UK for greenhouse gas emissions are subject to considerable uncertainty. Photo: courtesy of Committee on Climate Change.
