ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY : CONSULTATION ON UNCONVENTIONAL FOSSIL FUELS.

The European Commission launched, on 20 December 2012, a public consultation on the future of unconventional fossil fuels, such as shale gas in Europe. It aims to propose, in 2013, a European framework to manage risks, address regulatory shortcomings and provide citizens and market operators across Europe with maximum clarity and predictability. Stakeholders are invited to submit their views on the possible opportunities and challenges of the development of such projects and on the best ways of meeting the challenges identified so far. The consultation will run until 20 March(1).

Exploration and production of natural gas and oil in Europe has focused in the past primarily on conventional resources. But recent technological advances have opened up new possibilities for extracting unconventional fossil fuels, such as shale gas...