Fracking
and climate change

Fracking is a process to extract shale gas or shale oil. Both are fossil fuels and emit greenhouse gases when burnt which contributes to climate change. Friends of the Earth opposes fracking because we need to get off fossil fuels as soon as possible – and shift to renewable energy.

What we don't need is a new fracking industry – extracting gas we can't afford to burn.

Here you can find out about the campaign to stop fracking – and what you can do about it. Together we can be a powerful force to protect our climate by keeping coal, oil and gas in the ground.

You can be in favour of fixing the climate. Or you can be in favour of exploiting shale gas. But you can’t be in favour of both at the same time.

John Ashton, former envoy for climate change at the UK Foreign Office

Almost all our energy can reliably come from the wind, waves and sun. In 2016, the UK got more power from renewable energy than coal. The technology is developing and costs are falling at lightning pace. Global investment in renewable power was US$300 billion in 2015: twice that of fossil fuel power.

Coal is due to come off the system in the next few years – and renewables are ready to close this gap, without the need for fracking.

Local frack-free groups spring up wherever fracking is a risk. They're resisting fracking – protecting people, the environment and the climate from the risks of this industry.

The anti-fracking Nanas in Lancashire are a shining example of how ordinary people come together to stand against fracking. Wearing matching headscarves, like Tina Louise Rothery (pictured), the Nanas are women of all ages who have formed a strong bond and become the frontline against fracking. They have fronted rallies and campaigns, gone to court and slowed down fracking operations.

Friends of the Earth stands shoulder to shoulder with people facing fracking and new opencast coal. We support communities to take action against fossil fuels.

Grassroots action works. By supporting local communities – and joining with thousands of others in taking action – we have the power to win the struggle for a safer climate for generations to come.

Whether it's signing a petition, joining a local anti-fracking group or turning up at protests against the industry, you can help keep the UK frack free.

In the photo our environmental lawyer Jake White (right) talks to local resident Carl Lee at a fracking demonstration in Balcombe, West Sussex, 2013.

Around the world more and more places are saying no to fracking.

Scotland and Wales have both placed temporary bans on fracking. And Scotland has now banned fracking.

The Republic of Ireland has also passed a bill into law  that bans fracking from taking place. While Northern Ireland has made significant steps to reject fracking by including a presumption against it in its planning guidance.

In Europe, The Netherlands, France, Germany and Bulgaria have all halted fracking. This is down to the huge opposition that the fracking industry faces wherever it tries to set up. Success is largely due to the resistance from local communities and campaigners.