Britain May Veto Green Plans To Ban Tar Sands, Shale Gas

Gas is clean, and produces only half the carbon dioxide emissions of coal, making it a key part of tackling global warming. All these factors might suggest that Cuadrilla's find would be welcomed. Instead, the complete opposite.

Benny Peiser, --October 5, 2011

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The prize of European shale gas is in sight. The question is whether it will become the subject of further politicised, unwinnable ideological battles, or a driver of environmental, economic and geopolitical revival. --Robin Mills, The National, 4 October 2011
In its advocacy of shale gas, the Poles are supported by the UK, which has acted as a counterweight against French attempts to impose a blanket ban on shale gas development. --Derek Jan Eppink, EUobserver, 5 October 2011 At a stroke, Britain would seem to have solved its "energy security" issues but also a fair proportion of its socio-economic problems too. After all, abundant, cheap energy means lower production costs, greater market competitiveness, better standards of living and lower inflation. A win, win, win, win, win situation, then. What could there possibly be not to like? --James Delingpole, Energy Tribune, 4 October 2011.
Oil from controversial and environmentally destructive tar sands is likely to be all but banned from Europe after a decision on Tuesday. The move also casts doubt on the future of other controversial energy sources such as shale gas. Although gas from shale is not yet included, because the proposed directive is focused on transport fuels, the acceptance that fuels must meet minimum environmental standards makes it much more likely that it too could fall foul of legislation in the future. The proposed EU fuel quality directive may face a tough ride from some member states. In Britain, Norman Baker, minister for transport, stated in a letter dated 26 September that the government will oppose inclusion of a tar sands value. --Fiona Harvey, The Guardian, 5 October 2011 The developing world is fighting a new global environmental war in the name of green economy, meaning economic growth by lesser consumption of natural resources. The rich nations wants to get UN ratification to impose a series of trade barriers for sustainable growth but the Indian environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan had opposed any such move saying "green economy should not lead to green protectionism". --Hindustan Times, 4 October 2011

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