Exploiting the UK's shale gas reserves could create 35,000 jobs and help to meet carbon emissions targets, according to a new report from the Institute of Directors. Britain was estimated to have onshore shale gas reserves of 5.3 trillion cubic feet in 2010, but the British Geological Survey is expected to revise that number higher, the IoD said. The new report assumes the UK will only be half as successful as the US at shale gas production, but even on that basis, the IoD said the country could meet 10pc of its gas demand for the next 103 years from shale, as well as creating 35,000 new jobs. A survey of the business group's members also showed support for shale gas development. Related Articles Some 58pc said using shale reserves would have a positive impact on British business, while only 7pc thought it would have a negative effect. The IoD surveyed 1,095 members. Using shale gas alongside renewable energy would help to meet the country's emissions targets because gas emits half as much carbon dioxide as coal, the IoD said. "Renewables and gas will go hand in hand as the major growth areas in global energy supply over the next ten years," said Corin Taylor, senior economic adviser at the IoD and co-author of the report. "When the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow, we need a back-up power source -- natural gas is a far cleaner way to provide that than coal." The IoD also said it