This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.
The Parliamentary Assembly notes that only one fifth of the
world’s proven fossil fuel reserves (excluding shale gas) can be
burnt if dangerous climate change is to be avoided and that fracking
(unconventional shale gas extraction) has already contributed to
falling oil prices and increasing emissions.
Fracking pumps water underground together with hundreds of
chemicals creating a cocktail of toxic, carcinogenic and radioactive
contents that can pollute water supplies beneath the ground, through
leaked pipes, dumping and inadequate treatment. In addition, air
pollution from fracking includes volatile organic compounds, carcinogens
and chemicals causing respiratory irritation and endocrine disruption
as well as methane and carbon dioxide which cause global warming.
Fracking also creates traffic, spillages and noise which damage
local environments.
Europe has previously taken leadership in controlling global
carbon emissions and there is already a moratorium or ban on fracking
in the Netherlands, Germany and France as well as Quebec and New
York State. Therefore, the Assembly should call for a moratorium
on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) across Europe.