Old Story, New Threat: Fracking and the Global Land Grab (TNI)

Transnational Institute / January 2013

TNI examines the increasing global importance of fracking arguing it has negative environmental impacts and is a dangerous distraction from producing renewable energy.

What is fracking? See infographic for the basics

It is being promoted as a means to secure energy security in a time of ‘peak oil’ and as a growth area to generate jobs and government revenues during the current economic crisis.

Although fracking is promised as a “bridge” from oil and coal (that emit huge levels of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere) to renewable energies TNI says it is not the solution to tackle climate change.

The report argues fracking is having negative environmental impacts including water contamination and release of hazardous air pollutants, and has caused 2 small earthquakes in the United Kingdom.

The leading fracking countries are the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Closely followed by China, Poland and Argentina who are setting up significant future fracking operations.

Different actors are involved including Technology Suppliers (e.g. Halliburton), Drillers (e.g. Exxon Mobil) and Investors. The USA is the main country promoting fracking at the global level.

However, there is opposition. France has banned fracking and there are several national and international civil society alliances opposing fracking.