UK is going into reverse on clean energy, says former Environment Agency head

Government must develop renewables as well as fracking but has damaged viability of shale gas by cancelling a carbon capture and storage scheme, says Lord Chris Smith

The UK is going into reverse on renewable energy while pressing the accelerator on fracking, according to former Environment Agency chairman Lord Chris Smith.

The final report of a shale gas taskforce led by Lord Smith concludes that the UK should be pursuing both fracking and green energy. It finds shale gas could be safely and usefully produced in the UK, providing strict environmental protections are in place.