UK's climate advisors warn fracking regulations 'inadequate'

The Government's official climate change advisers have warned that the UK's fracking regulations may be inadequate to prevent methane leaks from shale gas production, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Unless there are tougher regulations in place, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) said shale gas production would not be compatible with the UK's climate targets for drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

According to Energy Live News, the CCC believes that large-scale fracking could only go ahead if three tests were met to minimise its impact. These tests are:

Test 1: Tight regulation and close monitoring of emissions during well development, production and decommissioning in order to ensure rapid action to address leaks.

Test 2: Reduce unabated fossil fuel usage over time within levels previously advised to be consistent with carbon budgets. This means imported gas must be displaced by shale gas production, instead of increasing domestic consumption.

Test 3: Offset additional production emissions from shale gas wells through reductions elsewhere in the UK economy.

One of the report's authors, Professor Jim Skea, said: "We are not saying the tests cannot be met, we are saying we don't have the assurance at the moment."

Professor Skea called for a "clear explanation as to how the Environment Agency and other regulatory bodies would provide that assurance."

Chair Lord Deben commented: "We have concluded that exploitation of shale gas on a significant scale would not be consistent with UK carbon budgets and the 2050 target unless three tests are met.

"If those conditions are met, then shale gas could make a useful contribution to UK energy supplies, including providing some energy security benefits."

A Government spokesperson told Energy Live News that no regulatory action would be taken as the Department of Energy & Climate Change believes the rules already in place are consistent with climate change targets.