Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland commented on the launch of the Scottish Government's consultation on fracking [1]
"Any decision to access more fossil fuel reserves by using fracking would fly in the face of the Scottish Government's much welcomed ambition of securing half of all of Scotland's energy needs from renewables by 2030.
"When given the choice, opinion polling tells us that the public always backs clean renewables over polluting fossil fuels. We are confident that by the end of this consultation the public will give fracking a resounding thumbs down.
"We need to be stepping up action to address the threats posed to people and nature by climate change.
"The climate science is clear. The vast majority of fossil fuel reserves need to be left in the ground and unburned. We expect Scottish Ministers to reflect this fact in their final decision."
Notes to Editors
[1] Talking "Fracking": A Consultation on Unconventional Oil and Gas https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/fracking-unconventional-oil-and-gas/
Closes 31 May 2017
[2] News reports showing public support for renewables
http://www.scotsman.com/news/poll-shows-majority-of-scots-in-favour-of-renewable-energy-1-4221254
http://www.thenational.scot/news/poll-shows-majority-of-scots-back-renewables-as-snp-prepares-to-unveil-new-energy-strategy.21990
http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/analysis/2448947/poll-renewables-is-the-top-energy-choice-for-scots