Opponents of onshore shale gas in the UK have said new research on global methane emissions supports their call for a ban on fracking on climate change grounds.
Jeremy Corbyn met campaigners outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site near Blackpool this afternoon and repeated his call on the government to ban fracking.
The 16-year-old Swedish climate campaigner, Greta Thunberg, has described the UK’s support for shale gas as “irresponsible” and “beyond absurd”.
The UK shale gas industry has upgraded production estimates by more than 70% following early results from two sites.
Greater Manchester announced a policy this morning which would have the effect of blocking fracking across one of the UK’s major shale gas regions.
This year’s Conservative conference, which starts in Birmingham on Sunday (30/9/18), is expected to see two events about fracking and a rally by opponents of shale gas.
Moving decisions on fracking plans to a national level contradicts the principles of localism and would probably exacerbate mistrust between communities and the industry, MPs said today.
The shale gas industry and its opponents had a rare moment of agreement in a committee room in Westminster this week.
A policy requiring a distance of 500m between homes and fracking sites in North Yorkshire got official backing today – but the fracking industry immediately threatened to challenge it in court.
The Government expects the UK to have 30-35 unconventional oil and gas sites by 2022 and 155 wells by 2025, according to an unpublished report.
