Church of England incenses eco warriors by declaring fracking could be ‘morally acceptable’, paving the way for more test sites
But environmental campaigners say the Church's intervention was "mistaken"
THE CHURCH of England has incensed eco warriors – by backing fracking.
In a briefing note, it said the shale gas revolution could be “morally acceptable” in a move that paves the way for exploration on church land.
The divine intervention also puts Labour and the SNP under more pressure to lift their opposition to the fracking revolution.
The paper was drawn up by a working group chaired by the Bishop of Salisbury and has been sent to environmental officers every diocese to help inform bishops and other clergy.
In the briefing, designed to give a “factual scan” of the issues around fracking, the Church said fracking may be a “useful component in transitioning to a low carbon economy”. The technology is “morally acceptable” as long as it replaces ‘dirtier’ energy sources.
The note declares: “We are persuaded that a robust planning and regulatory regime could be constructed.”
The Church concedes it is “essential” that legitimate concerns of those who face disruption from fracking are heard and that “appropriate protections and compensation are in place”.
Previously the Church said it has “no official policy either for or against hydraulic fracturing”.
Tony Bosworth at the Friends of the Earth said the Church was “mistaken”. The Church of England has already allowed energy company Aurora to carry out seismic surveys to assess shale gas potential on land near Ormskirk, Lancashire.
It owns around 100,000 acres of farmland.
Ken Cronin, chief executive of fracking industry group UKOOG, praised the Church’s statement. He said: “We agree that shale gas can be a useful component in transitioning to a low carbon economy and that there is a robust planning and regulatory regime.”