POLITICS MEANS BUSINESS

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SHALE GAS COMMUNICATIONS:FOUR YEARS ON

Jason Nisse, Partner, Newgate Communications

POLITICS MEANS BUSINESS

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OUR OBJECTIVES

Very simply, to secure planning permissions for shale gas projects

• Government Support – National and Local

• Media Support

• Public Support

• Provide the evidence

POLITICS MEANS BUSINESS

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Fracking results in extreme water contamination

Fracking is responsible for record droughts

Fracking pollutes the air with scary pollutants

Fracking causes cancer

Fracking causes low birth weights

Fracking reduces house prices

Fracking means no insurance

CHALLENGES: FAKE NEWS, BAD SCIENCE

Fracking causes earthquakes

CHALLENGES: EMOTION V FACT

POLITICS MEANS BUSINESSCHALLENGES: HYSTERICAL MEDIA

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CHALLENGES: DIRECT ACTION

CHALLENGES: POLITICAL DIVISION

CHALLENGES: PUBLIC OPPOSITION

BUT WE’RE NOT ALONE

AND THERE’S BEEN SOME LIGHT RELIEF

AND NOW… WE’RE WINNING

Third Energy approved in Yorkshire

Cuadrilla green light on appeal

Recent approvals in Notts

Scores of applications on the way

HOW?

• Clear message of reassurance and need

• Extensive behind the scenes lobbying

• Secured Government support both for concept and technical issues• Difficult passage of Infrastructure Act• Strong support from key trade unions

• Limited national media campaign, but strong rapid rebuttal programme

• Winning the myth busting battle• Big effort on broadcast• Op-ed, letter writing programme• Social media caution, but local social media campaigns are important

• Critical co-ordination among operators

AND ABOVE ALL, LOCAL CAMPAIGNING

• Focussing on local area and local issues; and on 20 year safe track record

• Working with regulators – despite issues with EA

• Remaining calm and authoritative

• Avoiding national media as far as possible

• Identifying supportive or sympathetic businesses, landowners and local politicians and motivating them to come out in support

• Be really clear about your strategy for the long-haul

• Never let a false assertion stand: constantly monitor political debate and the media, and be ready with a rapid response

• Find your friends and supporters, no matter how far afield they may be, and find the reasons they will be active in their support

• Government support and opposition is a double-edged sword, so make sure your political coalition is as wide as possible

• Construct strong, evidence-based, arguments – and never be afraid to appeal to emotions as well as rationality

• Be prepared to be relentless and indefatigable

LESSONS LEARNED

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