SNP Abstain as Scottish Parliament Ban Fracking

The Scottish Parliament have voted to ban fracking because it is not in line with Scotland’s climate plan. Labour, Green and Lib Dem members voted for, whilst Conservatives voted against. SNP members abstained from voting at all but the final was 32 votes to 29.

The announcement, that came yesterday, was welcomed by a number of campaign groups, including Friends of the Earth Scotland.

Mary Church, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “It’s great that the Scottish Parliament has voted to ban fracking and sent this clear message to the Government to get on and do it. It is also clear from today’s vote that there is a growing consensus that stopping climate change means we have to say no to new fossil fuels like fracked gas.

“The many SNP MSPs who stood on an anti-fracking platform in the Holyrood election are clearly feeling the pressure on this important issue.

“We look forward to greater urgency from the Scottish Government in ending the uncertainty for communities faced with unconventional fossil fuel extraction across Scotland.”

The motion is non-binding on the Scottish Government, which has put a halt on shale gas, coalbed methane and underground coal gasification.