Regulating innovation: European responses to shale gas development

The interplay between regulation and innovation is examined through the case of the development of shale gas, by comparing the regulatory context that facilitated the diffusion of shale gas techniques (in the United States) with the responses to its potential development in different European settings (the national cases of Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland and the EU institutions). The US regime has favoured its development, transforming the energy economy but raising concerns about environmental impacts. In Europe, different economic and political contexts have resulted in divergent responses amongst the countries examined, making an effective EU response difficult to achieve.