European Academies’ Science Advisory

of particular relevance to the European Union Background and scope of this statement Following the rapid increase over the past decade in the production of shale gas in the USA1, political interest in Europe has grown on the local potential of gas obtained by hydraulic fracturing of shale (‘fracking’)2. Potential attractions are seen from the energy security, local economic competitiveness and (to a lesser extent) employment standpoints, while the overall environmental advantages and disadvantages remain a matter of debate. Public concern has been high, with significant local opposition to attempts in a number of European Union (EU) countries to conduct exploratory drilling, and in some countries (e.g. France) a vote in Parliament on forbidding hydraulic fracturing by law. A number of EASAC member academies have already completed reviews on the risks from shale gas extraction and their management (see Royal Society and Royal Academy o