MSPs have voted by 32 to 30, with 61 abstentions, in favour of a Scottish Government motion, amended by Labour and the Greens, calling for an outright ban on fracking and stating it and other forms of unconventional gas extraction are “incompatible” with Scotland’s low-carbon ambitions.
The original motion stated Scotland is a world leader on climate change and noted that empowering communities by reforming the way land is owned and managed is “vital to creating a fairer Scotland”.
The Labour amendment calling for an outright ban on fracking was backed by 32 votes to 29, with 62 abstentions.
The Green amendment stating fracking and other forms of unconventional gas extraction are “incompatible” with Scotland’s low-carbon ambitions and calling for “radical and ongoing” reform to democratise land was supported by 32 votes to 30 with 61 abstentions.
A Conservative amendment stating that “good and sustainable” land use rather than the way in which land is owned is “critical” to ensuring a vibrant rural economy was defeated by 93 votes to 30.