Case study The Corrib gas field project: Social sustainability
Natural gas is an efficient source of energy. It is used to generate electricity in almost half of Irish power stations and is used in homes and businesses for heating and cooking. It produces less harmful emissions when burned than other fossil fuels.
The Shell Corrib gas field is located 83 km off the coast of County Mayo. It is made up of four components: an offshore well, an offshore pipeline, an onshore pipeline and an onshore gas refinery. It is capable of meeting at least 40% of Ireland’s gas needs and could provide the country with a secure energy supply for the next 20 years. The project will also provide employment.
Construction of this project led to major opposition from local residents. There have been several protests against the development of this project and some protesters have gone to jail. Many local people are concerned about the impact the development will have on the environment and the health of people in the community. The onshore pipeline is located close to some people’s
homes and could be dangerous. The gas refinery and pipelines are located in an unspoiled scenic area, much of which is designated as a special area of conservation by the EU. People in this area depend on tourism, fishing and farming for their livelihoods, all of which may be affected by the construction of this project. The offshore pipeline may release harmful pollutants into the sea and affect fishing. Burning natural gas also releases pollutants into the air. The Corrib gas project will meet a large proportion of the energy needs of the people of Ireland and will provide employment, so it may be considered to be economically sustainable. However, some local residents and others may consider that it is not environmentally or socially sustainable. Taking into account these different sustainability issues, the ethical issue is whether it is morally right to generate electricity using fuels obtained from the Corrib gas project.
Fig. 6 Protesters from the Shell to Sea campaign. 368
