WIREDGOV

WWF’s Head of Climate and Energy, Gareth Redmond-King, commented on the news that Caudrilla has started to drill in Lancashire 

“Despite new evidence this week that we might be millions of years too late for shale gas anyway, the start of drilling takes us closer to fracking becoming a reality in the UK. This Government was keen to give local people the final say on wind projects, but they’re far less keen to listen to local people when it comes to fracking. Clean technology like wind and solar is already transforming our energy system. And we need it to continue to grow, rather than turning to unpopular, unproductive and risky methods of extracting new fossil fuels. The UK Government needs to focus support and investment on innovative, low carbon technologies. They need to publish their ‘clean growth plan’ to set out how we will cut our greenhouse gas emissions.

“In the meantime, the Secretary of State should refuse permission for licences to frack until the companies involved can convince experts that this is part of a cleaner, greener energy future for the UK – one that respects people, nature and wildlife.”