The Scottish Government is looking to ban fracking with “immediate effect”.
Scottish energy minister Paul Wheelhouse put forward the preferred position at Holyrood this afternoon.
The recovery of unconventional oil and gas has been subject to a moratorium in Scotland since January 2015 as a public consultation into the controversial method was carried out.
Mr Wheelhouse said that of the 60,000 plus respondent results the “overwhelming majority opposed”.
He revealed that 99% of respondents were against the method.
Mr Wheelhouse told the parliamentary chamber: “The decision I making today means that fracking cannot and will not take place in Scotland.”
“We have undertaken one of the most far-reaching examinations of unconventional oil and gas ever carried out by any government, anywhere.
“We have not taken the process or the decision lightly. At every stage we have created opportunities for discourse and debate.
“The views expressed through our consultation demonstrated that communities across Scotland, particularly in densely populated areas where developments could potentially take place, are not convinced there is a strong national economic argument when balanced against the risk and disruption they anticipate in areas, such as transport, pollution, crucially, their health and wellbeing.
“It is clear that people across Scotland remain firmly opposed to fracking – this government has listened and taken decisive action.”
Mr Wheelhouse added: “Scotland’s chemicals industry has conveyed strong views on the potential impact of shale on the sector. I want to be clear that regardless of our position on unconventional oil and gas, our support for Scotland’s industrial base and manufacturing is unwavering.
“Manufacturing and the chemicals industry continue to play a crucial role in the Scottish economy.
“The Scottish Government understands that a supportive fiscal regime, affordable energy, access to the right skills, and good infrastructure are all essential to future success.
“That is why this government will continue to support industry in a range of different ways in the months and years to come.”
The energy minister cited the “moral responsibility” to tackle climate change and particular concerns over a lack of hard evidence on health effects.
He added that the government had “not taken the process or decision lightly” but added that it was in the “best interest of the people in this country as a whole”.
The Scottish Government has now written to local authorities across Scotland to make clear that the Directions that gave effect to the moratorium will remain in place.
A parliamentary vote will take place in the near future followed by a Strategic Environmental Assessment.
Mary Church, head of campaigns for Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “This is a victory for the environment and for local communities fighting fracking. The Scottish Government’s decision today to ban fracking will be warmly welcomed across the country and around the world. This is a huge win for the anti-fracking movement, particularly for those on the frontline of this dirty industry here in Scotland, who have been working for a ban these last six years.
“Having put a moratorium in place more than two years ago, evaluated the evidence and consulted the people of Scotland, the Scottish Government has reached the right and sensible conclusion that the fracking industry must be banned to avoid potentially devastating impacts to people’s health, the climate and our natural environment.
“Over 60,000 people responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on fracking, the second largest number to engage in a consultation in the history of the devolved Parliament, with 99% calling for a ban. This shows the real strength of feeling against this dirty industry in Scotland.”
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