Justic e & Peace

National Justice & Peace Network

FRACKING A Briefing Paper

Registered Office: 39 Eccleston Square, London

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Tel: 020 7901 4864 Email: admin@justice-and-peace.org.uk

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Patrons: Rt Hon John Battle KCSG

Julian Filochowski Rt Rev John Rawsthorne

Sarah Teather Rev Ruth Gee

UK Registered Charity no. 1114947 Company no. 5036866

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FrackingBriefingPaper–NJPNMay2017BackgroundFracking(usinghorizontaldrillingandhighpressurefracturingofshalerock)hasbeenwidelyimplementedintheUSAinthelast10yearsorso,aswellasCanadaandtoalesserextentothercountries,asameansofexploitingoilandgasreservesentrappedwithinthestructureofdeeprockformations.PermissionforexploratorydrillinghasbeengrantedintwoareasofnorthernBritain1withaviewtoestablishingifcommercialscalefrackingcouldoccurintheUK,andgovernmentlicences2havebeenissuedforextensivefrackinginanticipationoftheoutcome.TheNJPNEnvironmentGrouppublisheditsfirstdiscussionpaperaboutfrackingin2014,openingupthescientificdebatetothelightoftheGospelandCatholicSocialTeaching3.Thisupdatingpapertouchesonsomeofthecurrentevidenceabouttheprocess,theuncertaintiesandthecontroversiessurroundingit,andtheprotestsandcampaigns,beforelookingattheplaceofChristianinsightsandwisdomtohelpformabalancedjudgementabouttheroleoffrackingintheUK.TheTechnologyFromawellpadthesizeofafootballfielddrillingbeginsverticallyandgraduallyrotatestohorizontalbetween5and6kmbelowground.Eachpadcanhave10verticalsfromeachofwhich4lateralscanspreadouthorizontallyforseveralkilometres.Water,sand,andchemicalsareinjecteddownthewellatenormouslyhighpressurestofractureopentheshalerockdeepunderground,releasingthegas.Thesandkeepsthefracturesopen;thechemicalsactaslubricantsandpreventbacterialcontamination.Industrialscalefrackingwouldrequireanarrayofwellheadsspreadacrossthegasfields.TherockknownasBowlandshale4hasbeenidentifiedascontainingasubstantialamountofgas.Onlyaproportionofthisgascanberecoveredwithrangesquotedfrom5-30%.IntheUSA15-18%5wouldbetypical,buttheUKamountisunknownwithouttestdrilling;10%isassumedinindustrycalculations.TheBowlandshaleextendsacrossmuchofnorthernandcentralBritain.Oncethedrillingphaseiscompletedateachwellpadthedrillingheadisremovedandasmallerproductionwellheadremains.Theproductionlifeofawellheadisgenerallymeasuredinyears,maybeupto20,butnotmore.

1Lancashire–RoseacreWoodandPrestonNewRoad,bothnearBlackpool;NorthYorkshire-KirbyMispertoninRyedale2UKOilandGashttps://www.ogauthority.co.uk/licensing-consents/licensing-rounds/onshore-licensing-rounds/#tabs(allwebreferenceswereaccessedon28/3/17unlessotherwisestated)3http://www.catholicsocialteaching.org.uk/4https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/226874/BGS_DECC_BowlandShaleGasReport_MAIN_REPORT.pdf5http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/media/weowebsite/2012/goldenrules/WEO2012_GoldenRulesReport.pdf

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In December 2013 a report commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said more than half of the UK could provide suitable sites for fracking. The report shows that 100,000 sq km of land is available for drilling6. The British Geological Survey7 estimates there may be 1,300 trillion cubic feet of shale gas present in the north of England alone.TheCompaniesIntheUKthereare15Britishcompaniesand4fromoverseascurrentlyinvolvedin“conventional”on-shoreexplorationordrillingandnowmovingintofracking8.ThetwobestknownareCuadrilla9andThirdEnergy10.Cuadrillaisaprivatelyownedcompanyformedin2007basednearPreston,Lancashire.ItismainlyownedbyaprivateequitycompanyandanAustralianspecialistserviceprovidertotheenergy,miningandinfrastructuresector.Itsownworkersarealsominorityshareholders.CuadrillaisundertakingthetestdrillinginLancashire.ThirdEnergy,basedinEastKnapton,NorthYorkshire,hashadextensiveonandoffshoredrillingoperationsforover20years,producinggasandgeneratingelectricityfromit.TheyaresinkingthefirstfrackingtestwellinKirbyMisperton,nearPickering.WhytheControversy?FrackingprojectsintheUKhaveallbeenmetwithopposition.Thishasrangedfromlargedemonstrationstoextensivepresentationsbeforeplanningauthorities(localandnational)bybothlocallyaffectedpeopleandbyexpertsingeology,climatechange,regulationandsafety,health,etc.aswellasbarristerswithspecialexpertise.Long-runningpicketingofthefirstfrackingsiteshaveledtoarrests,delaysanddisruptiontosupplierstotheindustry.Peoplelocaltothefrackingsiteshavejoinedforceswithnationalorganisations(e.g.FriendsoftheEarth11)tocreateeffectiveoppositionaroundallthedifferentareasofcontroversy.CatholicJ&Pactivistshavejoinedprotestsatthetestfrackingsites.Itcanbedifficulttoseparaterhetoricfromgoodqualityindependentassessments,andit’snecessarytonotetheUSexperiencedoesnotautomaticallyapplyhere.Geology,regulation,populationdistribution,economicsandpoliticsarealldifferent.Therearesomeissuesforwhichthereisn’tanyrelevantevidenceorexperience.Conjecturecanbeprojectedasfact.Themainareasofcontroversyfallintofourcategories:technologicalconcerns,theplaceoffrackinginstrategicplanning,globalstewardship,andpolitico-economicconsiderations.6http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25420552(accessed11/4/17)7https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/226874/BGS_DECC_BowlandShaleGasReport_MAIN_REPORT.pdf8http://www.frackingforgas.co.uk/uk-onshore-gas/9https://cuadrillaresources.com/10http://www.third-energy.com/11https://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/issues/fracking_background_information_33157

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TechnologicalconcernsWaterusage–ahugeamountofcleanfreshwaterisrequiredforfracking.AnInstituteofDirectors(IOD)reportin2013“Gettingshalegasworking”12wassponsoredbyCuadrilla,theleadcompanyinthenorth-westdrillingapplications.Itillustratedthat544,000cubicmetersofwaterisrequiredtofrackonewellpad.Thisequatesto10,000peoples’homeuseforayear;inLancashirealone100timesthatwouldbeneededforthenumberofwellpadsanticipated.Ifmainswaterisnotavailableitwouldbetruckedin,requiring31,288truckmovementsinthelifeofthewell.Waste–asignificantamountofthewaterisreturnedasflowbackwaste(typicallyathirdofthewaterusedaccordingtotheIOD,althoughtheyquotearangeof15–75%).UnliketheUSAitisnotcurrentlyexpectedthattoxicchemicalswillbeusedinUKfracking13,buttheflowbackwillbecontaminatedwithtoxinsfromdeepunderground.Thesearelikelytoincludearsenic,mercury,andnaturallyoccurringradioactivematerialandwillrequiredisposalordecontamination.ThereissignificantdoubtaboutthecapacityoftreatmentfacilitiesintheUK14(whichmayonlybeabletocopewithsmallamountsofwastee.g.fromexploratorydrillingonly),andwastehastobetruckedthere.Thealternativeissometypeofburial,butrecentplanningapplicationscontainlittleinformationaboutproposedwastetreatmentanddisposal.Shalegasexplorationshouldnotbepermittedinareaswherethereisgenuinerisktovaluabledrinkingwaterresourceslocatedingroundwater.Contamination–oneofthechiefrisksoffrackingisthatflowbackwastewillcausecontamination15.Thiscouldoccurduetospillageonthesurface,duringtransport,orthroughfailureofthewellcasingasitpassesthroughwateraquifersnearthesurface.TheonlyfrackingwelldrilledintheUKpriortotherecentplanningapprovalsdidsufferdeformationofthewellcasingafterearthtremorsweretriggeredbythefracking,atwhichpointfrackingwassuspended(inPreesall,Lancashire201116).Thedramaticfilm‘Gasland’showcasedsomeoftherisks.IntheUKtheEnvironmentAgencyrequiresdetailedpre-frackingmeasurementsofwatermethanelevels,andcontinuedmonitoringduringandafterfracking.ComparedtotheUSA,populationdensityismuchgreaterinmanyoftheareaslicensedforfrackingintheUKpotentiallyexposingmuchlargernumbersofpeopletoanymishap.

12https://www.igasplc.com/media/3067/iod-getting-shale-gas-working-main-report.pdf13TheDECCreport“Aboutshalegasandhydraulicfracturing(fracking)”Dec2013confirmsonlyPolyacrylamidefrictionreducers(0.075%),commonlyusedincosmeticsandfacialcreams,hasbeenusedbyCuadrilla.Hydrochloricacid(0.125%),frequentlyfoundinswimmingpoolsandusedindevelopingdrinkingwaterwellsandabiocide(0.005%)arealsoapproved.Theregulatorshavedecidedthatoperatorsmustdisclosethechemicalsusedwellbywell.14CharteredInstituteofWaterandEnvironmentalManagementhttp://www.ciwem.org//wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CIWEM-response-EA-Onshore-sector-guidance.pdf15https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/shale-gas-extraction/report/16http://energydesk.greenpeace.org/2015/06/15/energy-files-cuadrillas-preese-hall-fracking-well-had-to-be-plugged-again-after-more-issues/

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Seismicactivity–frackingisexpectedtocauseearthtremors,butthescientificconsensusisthatthenatureandforceofthesearesolowastobelargelyundetectableinroutineliving17.Tremorscan,however,haveanadverseeffectonwellcasingintegrity,asabove.Visualimpact,noiseandtraffic–producingandservicingafootballfieldsizedindustrialdevelopmentisnotpracticableamongstdensehousing,sofrackingnecessarilyhastotakeplaceinthecountryside.Thedrillingphasetypicallylasting12to24monthsinvolvesheavydieselnoiseandlargenumbersoftruckmovementsasdiscussedabove.Theproductionphaseisrelativelyunobtrusiveafterthedrillingrighasbeenremoved,althoughthegashastoreachthegasmainsbypipeorothermeans,whichmayhaveimpacts.Regulation–theInstituteofDirectorsreferstogoldstandardregulations,butitisameaninglessterm.TheUKhasatraditionofstrongregulatoryregimes.Thegovernmenthasindicatedmultipleagencieswillbeinvolvedindevelopingandmonitoringfrackingusingexpertisefromonandoff-shoreconventionalgasexploration.Thereisn’t,however,anyexpertiseyetinUKfracking.Thegovernment’schiefscientificofficercommissionedtheRoyalSocietyandRoyalAcademyofEngineeringtoproducerecommendationstoaddressthetechnicalrisksoffrackingin201218.Theyconcludedtheriskscouldbesatisfactorilymanagedproviding10keyrecommendationswereadopted,butmosthavenotsofarbeenenacted.Therecommendationscovermeasuresto(i)detectgroundwatercontamination(ii)ensurewellintegrity(iii)mitigateinducedseismicity(iv)detectpotentialleakagesofgas(v)managewaterinanintegratedway(vi)manageenvironmentalrisks(vii)implementbestpracticeforriskmanagement,andthedevelopmentof(viii)regulatoryrequirementsfornationwidefracking(ix)co-ordinationofthenumerousregulatorybodies(x)cross-ResearchCouncilprogrammesofresearchintofrackingincludingthepublicacceptabilityoftheextractionanduseofshalegasinthecontextofUKpoliciesonclimatechange,energyandthewidereconomy.Thegovernment’sClimateChangeCommitteeinJune201619producedsimilarconditionsasapre-requisiteforallowingfracking,towhichthegovernmentrespondeditwasconfidentallwouldbemet.However,itisalsostatedgovernmentpolicytoeasetheburdenofregulationuponindustry20,andtoreduceexpenditureonregulation.TheChurchofEnglandproducedaBriefingPaperinDec201621thatwaswidelyheadlinedasendorsingfracking2223.Itdealswithsimilarconsiderationstothis

17ShalegasextractionintheUK:areviewofhydraulicfracturingJune2012https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/shale-gas-extraction/report/18https://royalsociety.org/~/media/policy/projects/shale-gas-extraction/2012-06-28-shale-gas.pdf19CommitteeonClimateChangehttps://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/onshore-petroleum-the-compatibility-of-uk-onshore-petroleum-with-meeting-carbon-budgets/20https://www.gov.uk/government/news/boosting-business-by-easing-health-and-safety-burden-84-of-rules-scrapped-or-improved21https://www.churchofengland.org/media/3856131/shale-gas-and-fracking.pdf22http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-4136874/Fracking-gets-conditional-endorsement-Church-England-advisers-Kemp.html23http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fracking-is-acceptable-says-church-x6qps72lz

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NJPNpaperanditsconclusionsinclude:“thekeytowhetherornotfrackingisamorallyacceptablepracticeturnsonthreepoints:theplaceofshalegaswithinatransitionalenergypolicycommittedtoalowcarboneconomy;theadequacyandrobustnessoftheregulatoryregimeunderwhichitisconducted,andtherobustnessoflocalplanninganddecision-makingprocesses”.Regardingregulationtheysaidtheywere“persuadedthatarobustplanningandregulatoryregimecouldbeconstructed[but]theseareaspectsthatwillneedconstantvigilance”.Thesimilarityofemphasisontheimportanceoftheregulatoryregimeisstriking.Health–PublicHealthEnglandjudgedthatexploratoryfrackingposedacceptablehealthrisks,subjecttoappropriateregulation24.Theirreportdidnotaddressindustrialscalefracking,whichisobviouslytheintendedextensionofsuccessfulexploration.Incontrasttheindependentnon-partisanpublichealthcharityMedact,comprisinglargenumbersofhealthexperts,lookedatwide-scalefracking.25Itisimportanttonotethattheyconcludetherearesignificanthealthrisksbothlocallyfromthelikesofcontaminationanddieselemissions,butalsonationallyandgloballyfromthelikelypossibleeffectsoffrackingonclimatechange.Theydescribeglobalwarmingasapressinghealthemergency.Strategicplanning-UKenergystrategyPhasingoutcoal–coalproducesthemostCO2emissionsperKwofenergyyielded,somostcommentatorsrightlyfavouritsdemise.Thereare,however,hugereservesofcoalintheworldandeffectivecarboncaptureandstorage(CCS)mighthavecreatedanargumentasausefultransitionalenergysourceformanyyears.However,asatOctober2016therewereonly15largescaleCCSprojectsoperatingintheentireworld,andthenumberoffutureviableprojectsisshrinkingduetolimitedinvestment.26CCSisadvancingbutnotyetscalable.ItisthereforeUKGovernmentpolicytoeliminatecoal-firedpowerstationsby202527.Coalaccountedforjust9%ofelectricitygenerationin2016,downfromaround23%theyearbefore.Asaresultgreenhousegasemissionsarefallingbyanimpressiveamount–6%in2016.28Energysecurity–concernsaboutenergysecurityareoftentoutedandareemotive,butaretheyvalid?BritishNorthSeagasandoilisforecasttodecline.HoweverweobtainthemajorityofourimportedgasdirectlybypipelinefromNorway’sNorthSeafields(andsomeviaBelgiumandtheNetherlands).

24ReviewofthePotentialPublicHealthImpactsoftheExposuretoChemicalandRadioactivePollutantsasaresultofShaleGasExploration2013https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/329744/PHE-CRCE-002_for_website_protected.pdf(accessed28/3/17)25https://www.medact.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/medact_shale-gas_WEB.pdf26InternationalEnergyAuthority:TwentyYearsofCCShttps://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/20YearsofCarbonCaptureandStorage_WEB.pdf27https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-plans-to-close-coal-power-stations-by-202528https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/604327/2016_Provisional_emissions_statistics_one_page_summary.pdf

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Geologicallythesearethesamefields.TheUKchosetoexploitandsellitssharemorerapidlythanNorwaywhonowprovideuswithourNorthSeagas.WealsoimportavariableamountfromtheMiddleEast,asliquefiednaturalgas,mainlyviaQuatar.29RussiadoesnotdirectlysupplytheUK,althoughitisamajorsuppliertoEasternEuropeandCentrica(BritishGas)signedasmall6-yeardealin2015withtheUKarmofRussianGazprom30.SupplyinterruptionsinEasternEuropemayimpactagreementsinplaceforEuropeancountriestoassisteachotherintheeventofenergyinsecurity.TheUKgovernment’sownassessmentofsupplyresilienceindicatesanabilitytocomfortablyexceedpeakdemandforgaseveninavarietyofseverelyadversescenarios.31DatedSeptember2016theriskassessmentisagoodsourceofreliableinformationaboutgasimportsandproduction,includingthepossiblefutureroleofunconventionalgasproduction(i.e.fracking).Gasistradedonseveralinternationalmarkets.Thepriceofourgasvariesaccordingtoworldpricesdespitenearly50%being“homegrown”,producedintheUK.(Naturalgasby-productse.g.ethanearealsousedinindustrialprocessesforthepetro-chemicalindustry32.TheindustrialgiantIneoshascommissionedeighttankerstobringliquefiedethanefromfrackingintheUSAtoitsrefineryinGrangemouth.UntiltestdrillingiscompleteitwillnotbeknownifUKfrackedgascontainssignificantamountsofethaneandotheruseablevolatilecompounds.Thisaspectoffrackingisnotfurtherconsideredhere,althoughpetro-chemicalfeedstocksisaclaimedbenefitofUKbasedfracking(IODreport2013)).Presentandfutureenergyuse–almosthalfofourelectricityisnowlowcarbon,(equalpartsnuclearandrenewables)whicharerising,whilstcoalusefalls.Renewableswere15%ofthetotalin2013,24%in2016andrising.Overallelectricityuseisdown12%since1970,mainlyduetomoreefficientlightingandappliances,andadramatic60%dropinmanufacturingcapability.Electricity,however,isonlyasmallproportionofoverallUKenergyuse,whichisstillheavilydependentonfossilfuels:84%oftotalenergy.33ClimateChangeact200834–theUKhasledtheworldinsettingtargetstotackleclimatechange:toreducecarbonemissionsby80%by2050(comparedto1990);by50%by2020.Wehadhit38%reductionin2015,someduetobetterefficiencyandthemoveawayfromcoal.Butsomeisduetothewayemissionsformanufacturedgoodsarecounted:emissionsarecountedwherethegoodsaremadeandnotintheUKwheretheyareused.UKmanufacturingindustryhas29NationalPreventionActionPlanGas2016https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/577696/UK_National_Preventive_Action_Plan_Gas_2016.pdf30http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-centrica-gas-deals-idUKKBN0NY1FH20150513(accessed11/4/17)31https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/560125/UK_Risk_Assessment_Gas_BEIS_template_Final__4_.pdf32http://www.ineos.com/inch-magazine/articles/issue-4/material-gain/33https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/energy-trends34http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/27/contents

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declineddramaticallywiththemovetoglobalisationandoutsourcing(e.g.toChinaandIndia).Aviationalsoisexpandingbutitsemissionsarenottallied.Parliamentdebatesandapprovesregularcarbonbudgetsforfutureyears,similartothemorefamiliarfinancialbudgets.The2008actwassupportedwithaGreenDeal35tobetterinsulate7mhomesfrom2013.Theschemewasaflop,abandonedin2015whenonly15,000dealshadcompleted.Therequirementforallnewhomesafter2016tobecarbonneutralhasbeendroppedfromregulations36.Aroadmapto80%reduction?–NaturalGas(fromconventionalandfrackedorigins)isoftenpresentedasatransitionalfuelbetween“dirty”coalandlow-carbonsustainableenergy.Despitetakingclimatechangeseriouslybyissuinglaws,budgetsandtargets,andsigninguptotheglobalaimsoftheParisWorldClimateSummitin2015,theDepartmentforBusiness,EnergyandIndustrialstrategy(BEIS)doesnothaveafar-reachingplantodecarboniseBritain.Thegovernment’sownClimateChangeCommitteeconcludestheexistingplanswillnotmeetourexistingcarbonbudgets(thelatestcovering2028-32),andthattherearenocredibleplanstotakethecountryonto205037.Otherorganisations,however,havepublishedroadmapsthatincludedetailedconsumptionandproductionmodelling.OneofthemostcrediblefortheUKisproducedattheCentreforAlternativeTechnology(CAT)38entitled“ZeroCarbonBritain–rethinkingthefuture”39.Describedbythechairoftheparliamentaryall-partyclimatechangegroupas“essentialreadingforallMP’s”itproducesadetailedplanthatdoesnotrequireareturntostone-agelivingortheuseofunproventechnology(suchaslarge-scaleCCS).Butitdoesneedanimmediatestart,andinvolvesmassiveshiftsinhowhousesareheated(80%gasatpresent),transportispowered,andenergymanaged.Muchmoresustainablyproduced(andlocal)electricityandmuchlessburningoffossilfuelsisrequired.Radicalchangeinlanduseiscalledfor,fromagriculturetoforestry.Wastage,especiallyfrompoorlyinsulatedhousingstock,hastobeaddressed.TheClimateChangeCommitteeadvocatesmuchthesame.Globalstewardship-worldclimatechangeFossilfuels–TherealityofClimateChangewasacceptedbyeverycountryoftheworldinParisinDecember20154041.SinceParis,scientistsgenerallyagreethatmostoftheworld’sremainingfossilfuelsneedtostayinthegroundunusedifwearetostandanychanceofrestrainingwarmingto1.5degC.Tohelpavertcatastrophicwarming,Catholicinstitutionsaredivestingfromfossilfuelcompaniesandinvestinginrenewableenergyaspartoftheirethical

35https://www.gov.uk/green-deal-energy-saving-measures/overview36HouseofCommonsBriefingPaper667827thApril2016ZeroCarbonHomesresearchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06678/SN06678.pdf37CommitteeonClimateChange“UKclimateactionfollowingtheParisAgreement”October2016https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/uk-action-following-paris/38http://www.cat.org.uk/index.html39http://zerocarbonbritain.com/http://zerocarbonbritain.com/images/pdfs/ZCBrtflo-res.pdf40https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2015/cop21/eng/l09r01.pdf41https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/international/negotiations/paris_en

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investmentcommitments,torespondtothePope’sLaudatoSi’42encyclicalandtheCOP21statementofCatholicBishopsfromallcontinents43.InLaudatoSi’(para165)thePopespecificallycallsforthereplacementoffossilfuelswithoutdelay.CAFOD’s2017Powertobecampaign44speaksupforlocal,renewableenergyacrosstheglobe.Fugitiveemissions–thisisatechnicalissuebutwithglobalratherthanlocalramifications.Naturalgasismostlymethane,whichifitescapesintotheairismanytimesmorepotentthanCO2atcausingglobalwarming.Smallamountsofmethanereleasedintotheairhaveabigeffectonworldtemperature(about20timesgreaterthansimilaramountsofCO2).Theamountofgasthatescapesduringproductionisdependentonexcellenttechniqueandmonitoring,alongwithrapideffectiveactiontostemso-calledsuper-emitterwells.Thisistrueforallgasproducingwells.Escaperatesof1–2%aretypical45andmaycompletelynegatetheapparentcarbonbenefitsofgascomparedtocoal.Gasalsoescapesduringtransmissionanduse46.Insteadof,oraswellas?–manyargumentsinfavouroffrackingpre-supposethegaswillbeusedinsteadof“dirtier”coalasameansoftransitioningfromhighcarboncoaltolowcarbonsustainableenergyoptions.Itisamatterofconjectureastowhetherthiswillbetrue25.Marketsarenotsetuptobringthisabout.Andasindicatedabove,escapingmethanemaymakegasextractionasdamagingtotheclimateasburningcoal.Solidarity–thepoor,futuregenerations–consideredcrucialbymanypeoplewhocontendthatalldecisionsshouldbetestedagainstwhethertheywillleavetheworldabettermoresustainableplaceforfuturegenerationsacrosstheplanet.Politico-economics-prosperity,democracyandownershipSomeoftheissuesgotothecoreofjustdecision-makingandtheplaceofsubsidiarity.Localdemocracyv.nationalinterest–UKplanningguidancegenerallydoesnotenablewidernationalorglobalconsiderationstobetakenintoaccountwhendecidingafrackingapplication47,althoughmanypresentationstolocalcouncilsdecidingfrackingapplicationshavesoughttoraisecouncillors’awarenessoftheirresponsibilitiestowardsthecommongood.Widerconsiderationsget

42http://catholicclimatemovement.global/text-of-encyclical-laudato-si-by-pope-francis/43http://catholicclimatemovement.global/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/APPEAL-TO-COP-21engl-final-1.pdf44http://cafod.org.uk/Campaign/Power-to-be/Energy-campaign45NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration,USGovernmentDepartmentofCommercehttps://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/publications/annual_meetings/2014/slides/35-140331-A.pdf46PotentialGreenhouseGasEmissionsAssociatedwithShaleGasExtractionandUseSept2013https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/237330/MacKay_Stone_shale_study_report_09092013.pdf47DepartmentforCommunitiesandLocalGovernmentPlainEnglishGuidetothePlanningSystemJanuary2015https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/391694/Plain_English_guide_to_the_planning_system.pdf

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decided(atleastintheory)atthepointthegovernmentstepsintoover-ridelocaldecision-making.The University of Nottingham, which has been monitoring UK attitudes to shale gas exploration since 2012, said its latest polling in September 201648 showed that 41.1pc of those who knew what shale gas was were opposed to it, with only 37.3pc in favour. For the first time in the history of the survey more people are against than in favour of shale gas extraction. TheNJPNwouldarguethatneitherlocaldemocracynorthenationalinterestisbeingserved.Publicv.privateownershipofnaturalresources–Thereareissuesaroundwhoshouldownandwhoshouldbenefitfromthenaturalresourcesoftheworld?Indigenouspeoplesforexampledonotshareourconceptofownershipofnature.Prosperity–the2013IODreportpostulatessixmainbenefitslocallyandnationally(GettingShaleGasMovingp109ff).Theseincludereducingimports(ortherisingrateofimports)withapositiveeffectonbalanceofpaymentsandenergysecurity,anewsourceoftaxrevenues,andcreatingwell-paidjobsintheindustryandsupplychain.ClaimedenvironmentalbenefitsarelowerCO2emissionsthanliquefiedgas(LNG),theUKpetro-chemicalindustryismoreefficientthenoverseasindustry,andnaturalgascouldbeusedasfuelfortransport.Inthelightofthecontroversiesalreadydiscussedouropinionistheclaimedbenefitsareofdubioussignificance.ComparingunconventionalgaswithLNGdoesnotseemrelevant;betterwouldbetocompareittorenewableenergy.Similarargumentsapplytoalternativefuelfortransport.Allnewindustriesclaimtheywillbringjobsandtaxrevenues,butthereisaskillsshortageinthedrillingindustryalready,andpartsoftheIODreportarguesagainstaburdensometaxregime.Avigorousrenewablesprogrammewouldalsocreatejobs.TheIODusesscenariosthatincludeextensivegasuserightupto2050,yetallseriouscommentatorsindicatemassivereductionsinfossilfuelusewillberequiredforglobalwarmingtobecontained.ChristianaspectsIncommonwithallthemajorworldfaithsChristianshavelongheldthegiftsofcreationtobeprecious,callingforrespectfulandresponsibleuse.AllChristianshaveadutytotillandcarefortheearthinresponsetothecallinGenesis49.Thecurrentenvironmentalcrisissuggestswemighthavedonetoomuchtillingandnotenoughcaring!CatholicSocialTeaching(CST)hasalongtraditionofinformingandinspiringdecisionmakinginbotheverydayandpoliticallife,againspanningallthetraditions.

48http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/pressreleases/2016/october/support-for-fracking-is-at-an-all-time-low-says-new-survey.aspx49Genesis2:15

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ThereareafewprinciplesderivedfromCSTthatareparticularlyrelevanttoanydiscussionaboutfracking.ThePope’sencyclicalLaudatoSi’(LS)50,oncareofourcommonhome,isthemostrecentaddition.CSTprinciplesResponsiblestewardship–PopeFrancisathisveryfirstMassasPopehighlightedtheimportanceofstewardship:“Please,Iwouldliketoaskallthosewhohavepositionsofresponsibilityineconomic,politicalandsociallife,andallmenandwomenofgoodwill:LetusbeprotectorsofCreation,protectorsofGod’splaninscribedinnature,protectorsofoneanotherandtheenvironment.BeprotectorsofGod’sgifts!”TransparentDecisionMaking–inthesectionofLaudatoSi’headed‘LinesofApproachandAction’thereisaclearrequirementfortransparency.“Environmentalimpactassessmentshouldnotcomeafterdrawingupofabusinesspropositionortheproposalofaparticularpolicy,planorprogramme.Itshouldbepartoftheprocessfromthebeginning,andbecarriedoutinsuchawaywhichisinterdisciplinary,transparent,andfreeofalleconomicorpoliticalpressure.Itshouldbelinkedtoastudyofworkingconditionsandpossibleeffectsonpeople’sphysicalandmentalhealth,onthelocaleconomyandonpublicsafety”(LS183).“Inthefaceofpossibleriskstotheenvironmentwhichmayaffectthecommongoodnowandinthefuturedecisionsmustbemadebasedonacomparisonoftherisksandbenefitsforeseenforthevariouspossiblealternatives”(LS184).Thisisespeciallywhengreateruseofnaturalresourcesisatstake,orhigherlevelsofemissions.TheCommonGood–PopeJohnPaulIIoversawpublicationoftheCatechismoftheCatholicChurch51.Speakingaboutcareoftheenvironmentitsays:“Thecommongoodrequiresrespectof‘theuniversaldestinationofgoods’.Animals,plantsandinanimategoodsarebynaturedestinedforthecommongoodof…humanity.Man’sdominiongrantedbytheCreatorisnotabsolute,butlimitedbythequalityoflifeofhisneighbour.”(para2450–2456)Inter-generationalsolidarity–PopeJohnPaulalsoflaggedthatourresponsibilitiesextendtoallgenerations,includingthosestilltobeborn:“Manhasspecificresponsibilitytowardstheenvironmentinwhichhelives,towardsthecreationwhichGodhasputattheserviceofhispersonaldignity,ofhislife,notonlyforthepresentbutalsoforfuturegenerations”(Encyclical“TheGospelofLife”,1995)52Personallife-stylechange;livingsimply–PopeBenedictwasmorepassionateaboutcareoftheenvironmentthangenerallyrecognised.Severalbooksonthetopicarepublishedunderhisname,including“TenCommandmentsforthe

50http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html51http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM52http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html

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Environment”(AveMariaPress2009)53whichcollectstogethersomeofhisteaching.Hereinareplytoafellowpriestheurgesustopersonalchange:“It’snotjustaquestionoffinding[technologies]thatcanpreventenvironmentalharms,evenifitisimportanttofindalternativesourcesofenergyandsoon.Butallthiswon’tbeenoughifweourselvesdon’tfindanewstyleoflife,adisciplinewhichismadeupinpartofrenunciations…”.Andhecontinuesbyreiteratingthattheearth’sbountyisforeveryone:“…adisciplineofrecognitionofothers,towhomCreationbelongsjustasmuchasthoseofuswhocanmakeuseofitmoreeasily;adisciplineofresponsibilitytothefutureforothersandforourselves.It’saquestionofresponsibilitybeforeOurLordwhoisourJudge,andasJudgeourRedeemer,butnonethelessourJudge.”Onownershipandeconomics-“Aneconomicsystemcentredonthegodofmoneyalsoneedstoplundernaturetosustainthefreneticrhythmofconsumptionthatisinherenttoit.Brothersandsisters:creationisnotaproperty,whichwecandisposeofatwill;muchlesssoisitthepropertyofsome,ofafew:creationisagift,itisapresent,awonderfulgiftthatGodhasgivenustotakecareofandtouseforthebenefitofall,alwayswithrespectandgratitude.”(PopeFrancis28/10/14)InLaudatoSi’PopeFrancisamplifiesthecalltoecologicalconversion.Ithasmanysectionspertinenttotheissuesarisingfromfracking.Herearejustafewrelevantquotes:“St.Francisremindsusthatourcommonhomeislikeasisterwithwhomweshareourlifeandabeautifulmotherwhoopensherarmstoembraceus”(LS1)“Climatechangeisaglobalproblemwithseriousimplications….oneoftheprincipalchallengesfacinghumanityinourday.It’sworstimpactwillprobablybefeltbydevelopingcountriesincomingdecades”(LS25-26)“Theclimateisacommongood,belongingtoallandmeantforall.…Theproblem[ofgreenhousegasses]isaggravatedbyamodelofdevelopmentbasedontheintensiveuseoffossilfuels.”(LS23)“In…globalsociety,whereinjusticesaboundandpeoplearedeprivedofbasichumanrights,theprincipleofthecommongoodbecomesasummonstosolidarityandapreferentialoptionforthepoorestofourbrothersandsisters.”(LS158)“Thereisanurgentneedtodeveloppoliciessothatinthenextfewyearstheemissionofcarbondioxideandotherhighlypollutinggasescanbedrasticallyreduced,e.g.substitutingforfossilfuelsanddevelopingsourcesofrenewableenergy”(LS26)“Weknowthattechnologybasedontheuseofhighlypollutingfossilfuelsneedstobeprogressivelyreplacedwithoutdelay”(LS165)

53https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-211-5/Ten-Commandments-for-the-Environment/

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Recommendations:NJPNjoinswiththeClimateCoalition,inwhichwehavemembersincommon54suchasCAFODandColumbanmissionaries,innotsupportingshalegasextractionintheUK.TheCoalitionsays,“Thegovernmenthasfailedtodemonstrateconvincinglythat[fracking]willnotcompromisetheUK’slegallybindingclimatechangetargets,oritsbroadercommitmenttolimitingglobalclimatechangetotwodegrees.Britainshouldbeleadingtheworldinshiftingawayfromfossilfuelsandtowardscleanandsustainableenergy,ratherthantryingtoextractevermoreinaccessiblefossilfuels.”55Werecognisethatbecausetheissuesarecomplex,withincompleteinformation,andlocalandglobalcircumstancesthatarecontinuouslychanging,peoplewillsincerelycometodifferentconclusions.InmakingthisrecommendationwearetakingamoraldecisionthatwebelieveismostlikelytofavourthecommongoodandmeetourChristianobligationsfoundedonloveofGodandrespectforHiscreation.WeneedtoreduceourCO2emissionsby80%by2050ifwearetohaveanychanceofpreventingcatastrophicclimatechange.FossilfuelsarethemainsourceofCO2.Sincewehavetodoitsometime,thesoonerwetaketheactionnecessary,thebetterplacedwewillbetomeetthechallengesahead.Webelievefollowingacarbonbasedfuelstrategy,whichincludesfracking,willindeedmakeitmoredifficulttoreachourclimatechangecommitmentsandpotentiallyourrenewableenergytargets.Thiswillhavelastingadverseeffectsonthewholeofsociety,andespeciallythepoor.ThedevelopmentofshalegasmayunderminethenecessarydriveforenergyefficiencyandcleanrenewableenergywithinUKenergypolicy.IntheviewofNJPN,frackingisdistractingenergyfirmsandgovernmentsfrominvestinginrenewablesourcesofenergy,andencouragingcontinuedrelianceonfossilfuels.Weneeda21stcenturyenergyrevolutionbasedonefficiencyandrenewables,ratherthanincreasedburningoffossilfuelsthatwilladdtoclimatechange.TheCatholicbishopsforallcontinentssaidinastatementpriortotheParisClimateTalks:“Putanendtothefossilfuelera….Andprovideaffordable,reliableandsaferenewableenergyaccessforall.”56TheNJPNagreeswiththat,andsupportsthedivestmentmovement57whichisgrowingintheCatholicandotherChurches.TheNJPNcallsforsimplerlifestylesandrecommendscampaignssuchas‘EcoChurch’58fromArocha59,‘LiveSimply’60byCAFOD61,the‘WayofLife’

54http://www.theclimatecoalition.org/members55http://www.theclimatecoalition.org/fracking-and-climate-change56http://www.cidse.org/articles/item/675-catholic-bishops-statement-in-lima-on-the-road-to-paris.html57http://brightnow.org.uk/58https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/59http://www.arocha.org/en/60http://cafod.org.uk/Campaign/How-to-campaign/Livesimply-award

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movement62and‘JoyinEnough’63bothbyGreenChristian64,whichallaimtolowercarbonfootprintsandreducetheneedforevergreaterquantitiesofenergy.TheyalsoencouragedeeperappreciationandrespectforWater.NJPNcallsontheGovernmentattheveryleasttoadoptthe10keyrecommendationsoftheRoyalSocietyandRoyalAcademyofEngineeringtoaddressthetechnicalrisksoffracking17.ConclusionsTheparticularChristianperspectiveislove,loveofcreation–people,animals,plants,minerals,etc–becauseofourloveoftheCreator,andHisloveforus.Anyconsiderationaboutuseanddistributionofresourcesisincompletewithoutthatlove.ThechallengeforeachofusishowtobringChristianlovetothedebateaboutfracking,applyingtheprismoflovetotheknownfacts,dilemmasandareasofuncertainty.Wemaycometodifferentconclusionsfromeachotherbutweshouldallensurethoseconclusionsarebasedoncompletetransparencyandhonesty.TheNJPNEnvironmentgroupiscommittedtosupportingreasonedfaith-filleddebateaboutfrackingandsimilardevelopments.Ifyouwouldlikeinputtoagrouporparishbasedonthispaperpleasecontacttheadministratoronadmin@justice-and-peace.org.ukor02079014864NationalJusticeandPeaceNetwork39EcclestonSquareLondonSW1V1BX

61http://cafod.org.uk/62http://www.greenchristian.org.uk/way/63http://www.greenchristian.org.uk/joy-in-enough/64http://www.greenchristian.org.uk/joy-in-enough/