Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust highlights fears for wildlife and landscape now fracking ban has been lifted

The Trust has long campaigned to protect precious wildlife areas across the county from the damaging impact of the exploration for and extraction of shale gas in locations including the heart of Sherwood Forest.

Following the Government’s recent announcement in which it lifts the moratorium on fracking, the Trust fears Nottinghamshire will become a battleground as energy companies seek to unlock the huge reserves of damaging fossil fuels.

Erin McDaid, head of communications, said: “Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is acutely aware that the nation is in the grip of cost of living and energy crises and the pressure this is placing on households and businesses.

"While we should avoid the game of crises ‘Top Trumps’, we cannot ignore the fact that we are already in the grip of climate and ecological crises; making the announcements re fracking and the possible new licenses to extract North Sea gas and oil extremely worrying.”

The Wildlife Trust welcomes measures to help families, businesses and charities with soaring energy costs, but believes that long-term solutions to energy security and affordability will come through a focus on energy efficiency and investment in renewable energy sources.

Erin said: “The prospect of future fracking fills us with dread, but also determination to continue standing up for wildlife.

"Such a clear change of direction, less than a year after hosting the COP 26 climate summit and at a time when the impacts of climate change are so viscerally evident, seems shortsighted to say the least.

"Consumers are told that energy efficiency is the first defense against higher bills, so surely rolling out measures such as home insulation is a ‘no brainer’.”

In a statement announcing the end of the ban, Business and Energy Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg, said: "In light of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine and weaponisation of energy, strengthening our energy security is an absolute priority.”