Scottish Government seeks views on fracking

The Scottish Government is currently consulting the public on the future of unconventional oil and gas extraction in Scotland.

Studies have shown that Scotland’s geology, and in particular a stretch of land through Scotland’s central belt contains significant quantities of shale gas and oil, and coal bed methane. 

Accessing these resources would require the use of technologies such as hydraulic fracturing (commonly referred to as ‘fracking’). This has led to a widespread debate on potential environmental, health and economic impacts, and on compatibility with Scotland’s ambitious climate change targets.

In January 2015, the Scottish Government put in place a moratorium on unconventional oil and gas development in Scotland, which prevents hydraulic fracturing for shale oil and gas, and coal bed methane extraction while the Scottish Government investigates evidence on potential impacts. 

The Scottish Government has compiled a comprehensive evidence-base. This has included commissioning a report by an Independent Expert Scientific Panel, and commissioning a series of research projects to explore certain issues in more detail.

The consultation is an opportunity for all those with an interest to consider the evidence, and give their views.

A dedicated website will run for the duration of the consultation providing user-friendly information, including the findings of the research commissioned by the Scottish Government, as well as discussion tool-kits to help communities and other groups participate in the consultation.

For more information visit the Talking Fracking website.

The consultation will run until 31 May 2017.