On 19 February the “European Shale Gas Arguments Map” containing the pros and cons of shale gas production in EU Member States was launched in the European Parliament. The map provides the foundation for open discussion and helps the user make a balanced judgement.

“Currently there is a public debate on this subject in different EU Member States and an independent overview of the arguments is essential to enable the parties to come to a consensus,” says Lambert van Nistelrooij. “The European Shale Gas Arguments Map is perfectly suited to this end since it has been developed by an independent organisation in TNO together with the Arguments Factory and international stakeholders from the public and private sector, government, NGOs and research organisations.”

René Peters, Director Gas Technology at TNO, emphasises the economic appeal that shale gas could have for those European countries where reserves exist, “but first the risks have to be studied as well as alternative methods of production in order to keep costs and risks down. With the map we aim to facilitate the debate on all political levels, to stimulate a balanced discussion and to initiate sound research and innovation related to the development of shale gas in Europe.”

Andreas Hübner (GFZ Potsdam – German Research Centre for Geosciences) said: "The EU Member States’ version of the Argument Map is extremely useful for a balanced and transparent discussion. It complements ideally GFZ´s science-based communication and network project Shale Gas Information Platform SHIP and will facilitate informed decision making on local, national and European levels."

Press release and download: the European Shale Gas Arguments Map.