Public must have its say on fracking, says report

THE Scottish public must be given a genuine opportunity to influence the decisionmaking process on fracking and other unconventional gas developments, according to a report.

In a wide-ranging report, The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) said they must be allowed to influence the decision-making process and be provided with meaningful information.

The report follows a Scottish Government announcement in January of a temporary moratorium on unconventional gas development, including the use of fracking, to allow for a national debate.

Lead author, Professor Rebecca Lunn, said: “It is imperative we consider the wider issue of how Scotland, as part of the UK, will meet demand for the gas required to heat homes and supply industry over the coming decades. Local impacts must be weighed up against issues of energy security, carbon emissions and social justice.”

The report highlights the importance of considering unconventional gas development in Scotland within the context of the UK’s need for gas to heat homes and for use in industry.

The paper, Options for Scotland’s Gas Future, sets out the advantages and risks associated with importing gas or producing it domestically on- or offshore.

Reducing the need for gas would have to occur in line with a demand reduction across the entire energy sector, added the report, which said that simply moving heat demand from gas to electricity would put further stress on electricity generation.