Fracking Free Netherlands

Geert Ritsema

Campaign Coordinator

Dirty Energy

5 September 2013

Shalegas in The Netherlands: key facts

200-500 billion m3

Present under roughly half the surface Economic potential limited: between 2.5

and 10 years of national gas consumption

National campaign against fracking

60-70 % of Dutch people opposed Moratorium since October 2011 United front of all major environmental

NGO's (Greenpeace, WWF, FoE) Strong local resistance

Fracking free zones

53 local authorities and 3 provinces declared themselves a “fracking free” zone

Fracking free zones

● Local politicians from left to right urge an end to drilling plans.

● Resistance from local people key driver

Lobbying local politicians

Fracking free zones

Local and regional authorities preparing for legal battle.

Fracking free zones clear signal to political parties on national level

E.g. National congres PvdA (social democrats) adopted an anti-fracking resolution

Fracking free zones: motives

Concerns over impact on landscape, nature, agriculture and waterquality

Wish to be climate neutral in (near) future

Concerns over earthsquakes, value of property

Other campaign tactics

Building alliances, e.g. with watercompanies, Rabobank

Involving scientists, e.g. anti fracking

statement by 55 Dutch professors

Mass mobilisation in cyberspace, but also on the streets

Other campaign tactics

Mediawork

Own research and publications

Direct action

What'next ?

Parlementary hearing: September Government to present its position: October

Parliamentary debate: October/November

Our aim:

A Fracking Free Netherlands

A Fracking free Europe