Environmental Stewardship: Lessons for European Unconventional Gas From the United States and Australia

摘要: Europe is on the cusp of an expansion in development unconventional gas resources and many analysts are turning to United States Australia learn lessons from markets at different stages curve. Most attention has been focused similarities differences geology, service industry price whilst consideration environmental stewardship dominated by concerns over potential health impacts hydraulic fracturing. Broader issues local water security, waste management landscape impact have, contrast, received less attention. To address these issues, authors take alternative look European market, using experiences consider risk practices, regulatory measures stakeholder engagement techniques that have achieved greatest success stimulating same time protecting assets. Although industries US exhibit notable which may develop Europe, several overarching observations can be made. The importance joint-stakeholder working, transparency carefully defined boundaries jurisdiction some key factors. Drawing examples others, conclude identifying three initiatives essential emergence a viable, publically acceptable sustainable Europe: • Collection robust reliable baseline data; Using communicating sound science; Implementing collaborative governance. Failure implement could stifle projects, breed uncertainty, promote conflict with existing public potentially, discourage investment. Conversely, implementing recommendations, would better placed encourage manner secures social economic benefits maintaining high levels stewardship.