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Maplecroft releases in-depth report reviewing EU policy and shale gas developments

17/11/2011

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The European Union and Shale Gas Risk Report produced by Maplecroft, focuses specifically on the key environmental and regulatory risks surrounding unconventional gas, as technological advances make its extraction more affordable.

The report includes a detailed overview of policy and stakeholder perspectives at the EU level, together with in-depth analysis of the policy and regulatory environments for shale gas operations in Poland, Germany, France and the UK. The review is intended to indicate the most contentious areas of debate, emerging policy changes and the most influential and active organisations contributing to policy developments and affecting the activity of business.

Debates concerning unconventional energy are ongoing at European Union member state and EU level. These include divisions on the economic benefits, environmental hazards and the need to focus on other forms of conventional and renewable energy. The focus of debate within the bloc is currently shale gas, with potential exploration fields being touted as a way to reduce energy dependence on external suppliers – notably Russia.

At the EU level, campaigners for more stringent environmental legislation have been the most vocal, but they are not the most influential players. Industry groups that partly finance energy infrastructure development are lobbying at the national and EU level. EU member states have the final say on the passage of new laws. Nevertheless, campaigns against shale gas development, which have found a forum in the European Parliament, may influence the public’s perception of local developments, in turn impacting local and national government decisions.

Despite the European Parliament’s active interest in the shale gas debate, different approaches among member states and the European Commission’s reluctance to determine policy make EU legislation on shale gas unlikely in the near to medium term. However, increased awareness of the potential environmental impacts, notably those relating to hydraulic fracturing techniques, could lead to a clarification of existing laws and regulatory changes at the national level.

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