Activists from Greenpeace Netherlands cycled up the Aalsmeerbaan at Schiphol this morning. They want conditions to be imposed on the billions that the government allocates to support large polluters. Between the parked KLM aircraft, they rolled out a banner with the text: 'No money without greenery!'.
Joris Thijssen, director of Greenpeace Netherlands: “KLM is supported by billions, while this company has no climate plan and no taxes. As a society, we assist this sector in guiding them through the crisis, but not with the aim of plunging us even deeper into the next crisis. If we want to get out of the crisis honestly and green, these kinds of blank checks to large polluters are unacceptable. The cabinet must impose climate conditions on these crisis billions. ”
The government must provide unprecedented assistance in order to absorb the consequences of the corona crisis. Meanwhile, we are increasingly seeing the impact of the climate crisis with extreme drought, hurricanes and a large number of animal species becoming extinct.
Joris Thijssen: “We cannot spend this money to continue on the old foot. That's why we're on the runway here today. Green conditions must be imposed on financial support. Then we invest in jobs, companies and sectors with whom we jointly make the transition to a green and fair future. Only then will we emerge future-proof and resilient from the corona crisis and provide security to employees in the short and long term. ”
All aid for large polluters must be made under climate conditions
It is not only about aid to airlines, but also about aid to other polluting companies and sectors. Because there, too, things go fundamentally wrong. Such as the floriculture sector, which annually spreads tons of poison over the land with disastrous consequences for bees and butterflies.
“This sector is also supported by millions, without having to improve their lives. We cannot continue in this way. Money invested in large polluters without climate conditions is wasted money, ”says Joris Thijssen.
To campaign in times of corona
Now that so many billions are spent, it is necessary to stand up for the climate. The political choices that are made have major consequences for our economy and therefore also for our future. That is why we think it is important to exercise our right to peaceful protest, but of course in an appropriate manner. For example, there are no more activists present than necessary for the action to succeed and they wear face masks.
Aviation status: Already 30 billion in state aid in Europe
Airlines across Europe are supported by billions. The preliminary score stands at about 30 billion, according to the airline bailout tracker from Greenpeace, Carbon Market Watch and Transport & Environment. Greenpeace believes that there should be an annual decreasing CO2 ceiling for the airlines that is in line with the Paris climate agreement. The sustainability of aviation is going far too slowly. The number of flights will therefore have to decrease considerably. Starting with the scrapping of short-haul flights below a thousand kilometers. It is not the first time that Greenpeace has taken action against CO2 emissions from aviation. Last December was protested at Schiphol together with hundreds of activists during Protestival.
Update: 14/5/2020 13.37
Greenpeace action on runway successful
Eleven arrests after rolling out banner with 'No money without greenery!'
Around 08:00 are 9 activists, a photographer and the creator of the Greenpeace live stream arrested by the military police. The activists were taken to the Queen Máxima Barracks in a bus. Among them also Anna Schoemakers, director of Greenpeace Netherlands. The banners, public transport bicycles and bridge used to get onto the runway have been confiscated. Greenpeace is committed to getting the activists released as soon as possible. They took peaceful action and exercised their right to protest. Greenpeace supporters were called upon to send an email to ministers regarding state aid to KLM. Since this morning, the Minister of Nieuwenhuizen and Hoekstra have received about a thousand messages from people who also think that state aid is only possible if it has climate conditions.
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