UK Climate Advisor: Keep block on frac’ing; previous advice from 2021 remained. “As the costs of low-carbon alternatives decrease, demand for oil and gas is expected to decline substantially”.

Keep block on fracking and cut onshore emissions – climate advisor by Ruth Hayhurst, February 5, 2026, Drill or Drop

The government’s climate advisor has said the moratorium on fracking in England should not be lifted without an “in-depth” climate review.

In a letter to the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) said its previous advice on fracking from 2021 remained.

The advice to ministers on the climate impact of onshore oil and gas is required by law every five years under the 2015 Infrastructure Act.

The latest letter, from the CCC’s chair, Nigel Topping, said of onshore shale gas:

“we have not been able to identify any substantive developments in the evidence base regarding production levels or emissions intensity.

“Therefore, our previous advice remains valid. The restrictions on fracking should not be lifted without an in-depth, independent review of the evidence on climate impacts and other factors, underpinned by new research.”

Letter-from-Nigel-Topping-CMG-to-the-Secretary-of-State-for-DESNZ-21-January-2026Download

The government has promised to ban fracking. But it has not publicly announced when this will happen, or which types of fracking would be included.

A petition for a legally-binding ban on fracking, launched today by Friends of the Earth, had nearly 26,000 signatures at the time of writing.

Plans for lower-volume fracking in North Yorkshire prompted a campaign for operations, such as proppant squeeze, to be added to the ban.

Last year, Reform UK, which supports fracking, told energy companies to get ready to frack for shale gas.

Kemi Badenoch, now opposition leader, also suggested that the Conservatives could lift the ban on fracking.

“Cut emissions”

The CCC letter said onshore gas accounted for 0.6% of total UK gas production and 4% of UK oil production in 2024.

It said emissions from conventional onshore oil and gas were “a small contributor” to UK carbon budgets and the ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

But it said:

“There is scope for emissions reduction through measures such as reduced methane leakage, reduced flaring and venting, and electrification (where not already in use).”

It advised Mr Miliband:

“Your department, working with the relevant regulatory authorities, should ensure appropriate policy to facilitate the reduction of production emissions associated with UK oil and gas fields consistent with carbon budgets and Net Zero.”

The CCC estimated that emissions from onshore fields in England in 2025 were 0.09MtCO2e/year. This was expected to fall to around 0.03MtCO2e/year by 2050, as a result of closure of onshore sites as they matured or became exhausted.

The CCC added that any combustion of oil and gas, regardless of source, would need to remain in line with projected cuts in emissions if carbon budgets and Net Zero were to be met.

The UK’s seventh carbon budget predicted that primary demand for oil and gas in the UK would fall from 1.476TWh to 286TWh in 2050. The letter said:

“This is driven by the increase used of more energy-efficient electric alternatives to fossil fuel technologies, including electrical vehicles (EVs), heat pumps, and industrial electrification.

“As the costs of low-carbon alternatives decrease, demand for oil and gas is expected to decline substantially”.

Refer also to:

Ron Gulla on living and dying frac’d: “Cattle dying, children sick, rashes on their bodies. The rare cancers … Ewing sarcoma … My wife got diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia … She died. … all she wanted to do was live. I have seen this over and over in families. … It’s all organized crime.”

Frac’ing is a health crisis! Releases radiation: as airborn particles; *radon into homes and water wells*; in brine/waste dumped on leases, roads, croplands, pastures; contaminating farms, communities, wildlife, livestock, families (frac’ing has been linked to leukemia and lymphoma in kids), workers, foods, landfills, trucks and rig equipment

New study by Yale School of Public Health researchers: Kids born within two km (1.24 mi) of frac sites were two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia between ages 2 and 7. A known cause is benzene, released by oil and gas activities into air and water. Dr. Cassandra Clark: “The magnitude of the elevated risk that we observed was fairly striking.”

New study concludes UK gov’t ignored public health concerns while heeding frac and chemical industries. In Canada, authorities withhold official reports warning of frac harms; help frac’ers cover-up crimes and enable them to further harm families after they get sick. Most vile, AER’s (no health mandate) Dr. Monique Dube (not a health professional) wrote lying “health” reports about frac’d familiesand unlawfully made them public online, via Synergy, etc.

2020: UK: Frac’ing is over as the big frac lies fail

2020: Smart Business Minister! UK Frac ban stays: “The only way it can be resumed is by compelling evidence which so far is not forthcoming.”

2019: ‘Black wall’ of Frac Secrets: UK Govt ‘release fracking report with 37 of 48 pages entirely blacked out by censor’s pen’ with only one page left unredacted, the front cover.

2019: Frac Hanky Panky hits the UK: Cabinet Office defies **court** order to release 2016 secret gov’t report on frac’ing industry – Like Encana still defying Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench 2014 order to release to Ernst all relevant documents to her lawsuit, most evilly withheld: all chemicals Encana secretly injected into Rosebud’s drinking water aquifers

2019: Scared of UK’s frac ban? USA Senator Pat Toomey introduces a bill to ban a president from banning frac’ing.

2019: Magnificent article by Andrew Nikiforuk: UK Ban Adds to the Tremors Taking Down the Fracking Industry

2019: UK: The power of “NO!” And more blows: ruling that frac’ing will not be categorised as “nationally significant infrastructure” with 800 councilors voting against weakening frac permissions to make them same as for garden sheds

2019: UK: Unbelievable! Tory Gov’t bans frac’ing! In Canada, when frac harms ramp up and industry demands deregulation, regulators deregulate. UK decision taken after new scientific study warns it’s not possible to rule out “unacceptable” consequences for those living near frac sites

2019: UK: “Victory for Communities & Common Sense.” PM Boris Johnson hints at frac ban; Previously had urged UK to “leave no stone unturned, or unfracked.” UK Oil and Gas Authority to report this week on links between frac’ing and earthquakes.

2019: UK: Cuadrilla moving out! “Frack Free Lancashire is delighted to learn that 35 days after they caused a 2.9ML earthquake which shook the Fylde and the confidence of their investors, Cuadrilla are finally demobilising…. The seismic activity which they provoked has not stopped though, with the 133rd event being recorded on Saturday, five weeks after they last fracked.”

2019: Katie de Kauwe, UK lawyer: “Access to justice should not be just for the oil and gas industry.”