Greenpeace activists occupy a Schiphol runway to protest coronavirus aid to polluting aviation sector
Greenpeace activists occupied a runway at Schiphol airport on 14th May morning, to protest against the billion €s in support going to the aviation sector during the coronavirus crisis. Greenpeace wants strict sustainability conditions to be attached to this aid. The Koninklijke Marechaussee, a policing force that works as part of the Dutch military and is responsible for airport security, said it would detain the 11 Greenpeace activists who were protesting, and remove them from the Aalsmeerbaan runway at Schiphol. The runway is currently being used to park KLM planes. They brought a small bridge with them to get across the ditch that separates the public road from the secured area at Schiphol, and bicycles to get to the runway as quickly as possible. Greenpeace said: “KLM emits more CO2 than the largest coal-fired power station in the Netherlands.” The government should only give KLM funding if it has to cut carbon emissions. This has to be done by more fuel efficiency, fewer flights, and short haul flights replaced by train journeys. Greenpeace also wants conditions attached to aid for other major polluters.
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Greenpeace activists occupy a Schiphol runway to protest coronavirus aid to polluting aviation sector
By Janene Pieters
May 14, 2020
The Koninklijke Marechaussee, a policing force that works as part of the Dutch military and is responsible for airport security, said on Twitter that it would detain the 11 Greenpeace activists who were protesting, and remove them from the Aalsmeerbaan runway at Schiphol.
Greenpeace activists occupied a runway at Schiphol airport on Thursday morning to protest the billion euros in support going to the polluting aviation sector during the coronavirus crisis. The environmental organization wants strict sustainability conditions to be attached to this aid.
According to NH Nieuws, the activists are occupying the Aalsmeerbaan, currently used to park KLM planes. They brought a small bridge with them to get across the ditch that separates the public road from the secured area at Schiphol, and bicycles to get to the runway as quickly as possible.
“KLM emits more CO2 than the largest coal-fired power station in the Netherlands,” Greenpeace said on its website. The environmental organization therefore wants the government to attach three sustainability conditions to the up to 4 billion euros aid package the airline will receive – “a falling CO2 ceiling, fewer flights, and short haul flights replaced by trains.”
Greenpeace also wants conditions attached to aid for other major polluters. “All financial support must be in line with the Paris climate agreement. Companies must therefore come up with a plan to commit to serious climate goals.” The organization acknowledged that this will impact the major polluters’ business operations, so suggested creating a fund to “guide people to greener work or to retrain them where necessary.”
https://nltimes.nl/2020/05/14/greenpeace-occupies-schiphol-runway-protest-state-aid-aviation-sector
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CLIMATE ACTIVISTS TAKE THE STAGE IN THE HEART OF SCHIPHOL AIRPORT
14 december, 2019
Greenpeace regrets removal of peacefully protesting activists who demand a climate plan from Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam, December 14 – This weekend, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December, Schiphol Amsterdam Airport is the stage for climate action: Greenpeace organises Protestival. Hundreds of activists come to the airport to demand a climate action plan for Schiphol. In the heart of the major polluter Schiphol Plaza, activists have hung up banners with the text: “Welcome to Protestival” and “Schiphol is flying ahead of all climate limits.” The activists sit on the floor in a circle and sing. After more than an hour, the authorities started removing people from Schiphol Plaza, but the peaceful activists continue.
A peacefully protesting activist is being escorted by the authorities. PHOTO: Marten van Dijl / Greenpeace.
“We very much regret the removal of activists by authorities. Our campaigners wanted to organize a peaceful protest at Schiphol Plaza to call this big polluter to account. We announced this demonstration well in advance at Schiphol and the mayor. The right to demonstrate is a major asset, also at an airport”, said Greenpeace campaign leader Dewi Zloch.
Demonstrations take place at several locations at the airport. A 24-hour mass-action is planned inside and outside Schiphol Airport and will continue day and night. There will be a mainstage outside in front of Schiphol Plaza with performances by Brownie Dutch, Magic Tom & Yuri, Annabel Laura and Antillectuel, among others. The event can be followed via the Greenpeace live-stream.
Greenpeace also had a surprise in store. In the morning a large banner was hung on the large advertising column next to the control tower with the text: Schiphol flies past all climate limits. Earlier thousands of people sent a text message to Schiphol to demand a climate plan. The purpose of the promotion is not to hinder travelers, but to demand a climate plan from the airport.
The municipality of Haarlemmermeer does not want the demonstration inside in the public space of Schiphol Plaza. Greenpeace will continue with the action nonetheless. “We use our right to protest peacefully. Moreover, it is not our goal to hinder travelers. Schiphol Plaza is the heart of big polluter Schiphol, therefore we want to ask them at that specific location to come up with a climate plan,” Dewi Zloch, campaigner at Greenpeace. Only trained activists participate in the 24-hour mass action. They plan to stay until Sunday. The supporting manifestation outside is accessible to everyone and is facilitated by the municipality. The manifestation starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday and around noon on Sunday.
Climate plan
The activists ask Schiphol to come up with a climate plan. This plan means fewer flights, no Lelystad Airport, replacing short-distance flights by train, and supporting a fair price for flying. Schiphol Airport is the largest tax-free gas station in The Netherlands, and there is no tax on flight tickets either.
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