Shale gas industry ‘would have to meet three key tests’

Shale gas exploitation by fracking on a significant scale is not compatible with the UK’s climate change targets unless three key tests are met – on methane leaks, gas consumption and carbon budgets – according to new analysis from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).

The Committee’s report: The compatibility of UK onshore petroleum with meeting the UK’s carbon budgets is the result of a new duty under the Infrastructure Act 2015, which requires the CCC to advise the government about the implications of exploiting of onshore petroleum, including shale gas, for meeting UK carbon budgets.

The report finds that the implications of UK shale gas exploitation for greenhouse gas emissions are subject to considerable uncertainty – from the size of any future industry to the potential emissions footprint of shale gas production. The three tests are:

1. Emissions must be strictly limited during shale gas development, production and well decommissioning. This requires tight regulation, close monitoring of emissions and rapid action to address methane leaks.
2. Overall gas consumption must remain in line with UK carbon budgets. The production of UK shale gas must displace imports rather than increase gas consumption.
3. Emissions from shale gas production must be accommodated within UK carbon budgets. Emissions from shale exploitation will need to be offset by emissions reductions in other areas of the economy to ensure UK carbon budgets are met.

At this early stage, it is not possible to know whether the tests will be met easily or not, says the CCC.