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In February 2011, the European Council concluded thatEurope should assess its potential for sustainable extraction and use of both conventional and unconventional fossil fuel resources. A 2011 report commissioned by the European Parliament drew attention to the potential health and environmental risks associated with shale gas extraction. At present, close to half of all EU Member States are interested in developing shale gas resources, if possible.
However, in response to concerns raised by the general public and stakeholders, several European Member States have prohibited, or are considering the possibility to prohibit the use of hydraulic fracturing. Concurrently, several EU Member States are about to initiate discussions on the appropriateness of their national legislation, and contemplate the possibility to introduce specific national requirements for hydraulic fracturing.
The recent evolution of the European context suggests a growing need for a clear, predictable and coherent approach to unconventional fossil fuels and in particular shale gas developments to allow optimal decisions to be made in an area where economics, finances, environment and in particular public trust are essential. Against this background, the Commission is investigating the impact of unconventional gas, primarily shale gas, on EU energy markets and has requested this initial, specific assessment of the environmental and health risks and impacts associated with the use of hydraulic fracturing, in particular for shale gas.
