City A.M.:Why shale gas could be the saviour of Britain’s environmental targets

THE debate around shale gas has been dominated by the economic benefits of production and the perceived risks of hydraulic fracturing. But we shouldn’t lose sight of the wider environmental picture. Developing shale gas in this country can benefit the natural world in several ways.

First, it can reduce carbon emissions by replacing gas imports. A recent report for the European Commission found that emissions from well-regulated shale gas production are up to 10 per cent lower than from gas imported by pipeline or liquefied natural gas from outside Europe. And as the Committee on Climate Change concluded last week, UK shale gas development is consistent with our emissions targets.

Yes, that’s right. Despite claims by a number of environmental propagandists, the body set up to make sure we actually meet our carbon reduction objectives has concluded that shale gas does not stand in the way. And the Committee’s conclusion is not surprising. However successful we are at decarbonising electricity generation, gas will still be needed in large quantities to heat homes for many years to come.  MORE