Over the last five years, the development of unconventional gas has become a highly contentious issue in European politics at both the national and the EU levels. While the prospect of development is advocated by some as a way of boosting economic growth and improving energy security, it is opposed by others who see it as a threat both to environmental, health and safety standards in local communities and to the pursuit of sustainable energy policies. In this talk, the differences within and between countries will be explored as well along with the impact of these divergences on the policy debate within the EU institutions.

Francis McGowan is a senior lecturer at the University of Sussex. He is currently a visiting professor with the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies. His research focuses on European energy policy and he is currently working on a comparative study of the politics of shale gas development and regulation in Europe and North America, funded by the British Academy.