What is fracking?
Hydraulic drilling, more commonly known as fracking, is the process of extracting gas and oil from shale rock. It uses machines that drill into the earth and inject liquid and materials at layers of rock to release the gas or oil inside. Fracking is controversial because it sustains our reliance on fossil fuels – exacerbating the climate crisis – and can cause earth tremors. Fracking in the UK was halted in 2019 due to safety concerns but, in September 2022, the Government lifted the ban, despite there being no categorical evidence that proves fracking is safe.
Our view
The Wildlife Trusts do not support fracking in the UK because of the potential for negative environmental impacts, it increases our dependence on fossil fuels, and it does not help to reduce household bills or tackle the energy crisis.
Fracking poses serious threats to wildlife and wild places – which are under enough pressure as it is – and may cause significant disruption and danger to communities. It is absurd that exploratory licenses have been granted in areas that border national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and other protected areas – some of our most important sites for nature.
The Government’s own advisers have stated that fracking will do nothing to reduce household energy bills. New development of fracking sites will also lock in expensive fossil fuel-dependent infrastructure for decades to come.
The Conservative Government has gone against its manifesto commitments to only explore fracking if science shows categorically that it can be done safely. The review into fracking by the British Geological Survey (BGS) – released in September 2022 – does not conclude that fracking is safe.
Government should be investing in renewables and energy efficiency measures to tackle the energy crisis and guarantee domestic energy production for the future. Reopening the case for fracking will not positively impact the UK’s energy supply, nor does it make economic or environmental sense.