The report “Are we fit to frack?” was produced by organisations including the RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts and the National Trust.  It warns that drilling for shale gas could cause severe harm to our countryside, wildlife and the climate and concludes that the current regulatory framework is not fit for purpose. 

It sets out 10 recommendations to reduce some of the risks to the natural environment and local people, including the creation of shale gas extraction exclusion zones, mandatory environmental impact assessments and a change in the law to prevent the costs of accidental pollution from falling on taxpayers.   

The report also makes it clear that shale gas exploitation is not compatible with the UK’s goals on climate change, and highlights a risk that support for the fracking industry could undermine investment in alternative ways to generate energy from low carbon, renewable sources such as wind, wave and solar power.

Sussex is in the front-line in the exploitation of shale gas and, if there is a significant gas resource, that could mean multiple well-heads every few kilometres across the county, according to Sussex Wildlife Trusts.

Caroline said:

“Many of my constituents have written to me to about their concerns about fracking, such as water contamination, environmental damage and the appalling lack of consultation, as well as their desire to see investment in renewable energy – not more fossil fuels – if we are to tackle climate change.”

“The Government is trying desperately to convince people that that fracking is safe and that existing regulations will protect local people and our environment from serious harm. This report demonstrates that these claims are complete nonsense.”

“It also provides yet more evidence that that fracking is incompatible with the UK’s own policy of avoiding dangerous climate change. Even if the UK had the strongest regulatory regime imaginable, the only safe and responsible thing to do with shale gas is to leave it in the ground”

Notes to editors

The full list of NGOs behind the report is: Angling Trust, the National Trust, RSPB, the Salmon & Trout Association, The Wildlife Trusts and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

The report is at: http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/climatechange/action/ukenergy/fit-to-frack.aspx

Caroline Lucas MP’s Early Day Motion calling for moratorium on fracking is at: http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2012-13/181

Caroline Lucas MP’s speech on fracking is at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2013-07-18a.307.0#g307.1