Motion for a resolution | Doc. 13567 | 02 July 2014

The exploration and exploitation of non-conventional hydrocarbons in Europe

Signatories: Mr Christian BATAILLE, France, SOC ; Mr Damien ABAD, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Jean-Marie BOCKEL, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Sean CASEY, Canada ; Mr Christopher CHOPE, United Kingdom, EDG ; Mr Roel DESEYN, Belgium, EPP/CD ; Mr Arcadio DÍAZ TEJERA, Spain, SOC ; Mr Jim DOBBIN, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Bernard FOURNIER, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Jean-Claude FRÉCON, France, SOC ; Ms Herlind GUNDELACH, Germany, EPP/CD ; Mr Nazmi GÜR, Turkey, UEL ; Mr Jean-Yves LE DÉAUT, France, SOC ; Mr Jacques LEGENDRE, France, EPP/CD ; Sir Alan MEALE, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Bernard PASQUIER, Monaco, ALDE ; Mr Yves POZZO DI BORGO, France, EPP/CD ; Mr André REICHARDT, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Frédéric REISS, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Michel RIVARD, Canada ; Mr François ROCHEBLOINE, France, EPP/CD ; Mr René ROUQUET, France, SOC ; Mr André SCHNEIDER, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Aleksandar SENIĆ, Serbia, SOC

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Whereas, globally, Europe is continuing to depend on costly energy imports, it is essential to hold an objective discussion without preconceived ideas on the means that would help reduce this dependence, raise the competitiveness of our economies and promote economic growth, while of course respecting the environment. The debate, in some countries, is all the more biased because there is a refusal to assess the real state of reserves, if only to have certainties as to their economic impact.

The Council of Europe forms an appropriate framework to hold this discussion, especially as today the various Member States are providing highly variable answers whereas there would be a need to act collectively. France has banned hydraulic fracturing like Bulgaria, but Denmark, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland and the United Kingdom have started fracturing.

Holding the discussion is even more essential as alternative techniques to hydraulic fracturing are emerging for the exploration and exploitation of non-conventional hydrocarbons.

The Parliamentary Assembly should take stock of what is being done in Europe, as regards research, exploration and exploitation in order, if possible, to draw joint lessons.