Cracked earth revealing shale gas deposits in South Africa

Fracking Under Fire: Can South Africa Navigate the Shale Gas Debate?

Lena Kashyap in Climate & Environment June 2025 • 3 min read.

"A deep dive into the environmental, social, and economic challenges of fracking in South Africa, and whether the country is ready to proceed responsibly."

From Lancashire, England, to the Eastern Cape of South Africa, the debate over fracking—hydraulic fracturing, a technique for extracting shale gas—ignites strong opposition. Communities voice concerns over environmental risks, potential social disruption, and the long-term consequences of this energy source. But is all the outrage justified? What are the real risks and rewards?

Shale gas extraction is touted as a game-changer, an alternative energy source that can create jobs and boost economies. But the process is water-intensive, relies on potentially carcinogenic chemicals, and can lead to air pollution and landscape degradation. For communities already grappling with water scarcity or environmental vulnerability, the risks can seem overwhelming.

Recognizing these complex challenges, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) tasked the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) with assessing the nation's readiness for hydraulic fracturing. Their comprehensive report examines the technical, environmental, and social factors at play, offering a balanced perspective on a highly controversial issue.

Unpacking the Key Concerns: What's at Stake with Fracking?

Cracked earth revealing shale gas deposits in South Africa

The ASSAf report highlights several critical areas of concern that South Africa must address before moving forward with shale gas extraction. These include:

Before any shovels hit the ground, South Africa needs a clear picture of its shale gas resources. This means:

Accurately assessing the extent of technically recoverable shale gas.
Developing a balanced, long-term gas exploitation strategy.
Prioritizing security of supply, efficient extraction methods, and environmental protection.
Ensuring effective communication with the public.

Mines, whether active or abandoned, can leave behind a legacy of environmental damage. The report emphasizes the need for:

The Path Forward: Responsible Development or Environmental Risk?

The future of fracking in South Africa hinges on addressing the concerns raised by the ASSAf report and prioritizing community well-being. Activists will continue to play a vital role, holding the government accountable and ensuring that environmental and social safeguards are not ignored. The stakes are high, and the choices made today will determine the future of South Africa's energy landscape.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.17159/sajs.2016/a0186, Alternate LINK

Title: Resolving Fractured Debates About Fracking? The Shale Gas Industry In South Africa

Subject: General Earth and Planetary Sciences

Journal: South African Journal of Science

Publisher: Academy of Science of South Africa

Authors: John Butler-Adam

Published: 2016-11-24

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is fracking and how does it work?

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a technique used to extract shale gas. It involves injecting high-pressure fluids into shale rock formations to release trapped gas. The process is water-intensive and uses potentially carcinogenic chemicals, which can lead to air pollution and landscape degradation. The implications are significant as it can impact water resources and potentially harm the environment.

What role did the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) play in the fracking debate?

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) tasked the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) with assessing the nation's readiness for hydraulic fracturing. Their report examines the technical, environmental, and social factors involved in fracking. This is important because the findings help inform decisions regarding whether and how fracking should be implemented in South Africa, considering the risks and potential benefits.

What are the potential benefits and risks associated with shale gas extraction?

Shale gas extraction is an alternative energy source, and could create jobs and boost economies. However, the process of fracking is water-intensive, relies on potentially carcinogenic chemicals, and can lead to air pollution and landscape degradation. The implications of fracking include water scarcity, environmental vulnerability, and the long-term consequences of this energy source.

What are the key steps South Africa needs to take before moving forward with fracking?

Before fracking begins, South Africa needs to accurately assess its shale gas resources. This involves determining the extent of technically recoverable shale gas, developing a long-term gas exploitation strategy, prioritizing security of supply, efficient extraction methods, and environmental protection, and ensuring effective communication with the public. This is necessary for a balanced approach to extraction and to minimize potential risks.

What factors will determine the future of fracking in South Africa?

The future of fracking in South Africa depends on addressing the concerns raised by the ASSAf report and prioritizing community well-being. Activists play a vital role in holding the government accountable and ensuring that environmental and social safeguards are not ignored. The stakes are high, as the choices made today will determine the future of South Africa's energy landscape.