Greta Thunberg joins climate protest in Norway refinery

Around 200 climate protesters, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, staged a demonstration at Norway’s biggest oil refinery, calling for the end to the nation’s fossil fuel industry, according to Arab News via AFP on August 18th.

Organised by the group Extinction Rebellion, the activists blocked access to the Mongstad refinery near Bergen on Norway’s southwestern coast. Kayaks and sailboats also blocked the port entrance to the site.

Thunberg stated, “We are here because it’s crystal clear that there is no future in oil. Fossil fuels lead to death and destruction,” further accusing oil-producing nations, including Norway, of bearing responsibility for environmental harm.

This summer, Thunberg also joined a group of activists aboard the Gaza-bound flotilla “Madleen” to deliver urgent supplies to Palestinians amid ongoing conflict, highlighting her broader humanitarian efforts.

The protest comes amid rising global concern over carbon emissions from fossil fuel use, which drive climate change. Norway, the largest oil and gas producer in Western Europe, has faced criticism for continuing to expand its fossil fuel sector despite these environmental concerns.

Police confirmed their presence at the site from around 9:00 a.m. (0700 GMT) to monitor the demonstration.

Organisers indicated that this protest is the first in a planned series across Norway throughout the week.

Mongstad refinery is operated by Equinor, Norway’s state-majority-owned energy company. The protesters are urging Norwegian lawmakers to develop a formal plan for phasing out oil and gas production in the country.

Norwegian government officials have emphasised the economic and strategic importance of the oil industry.

Equinor has stated that it plans to maintain oil production at roughly 1.2 million barrels per day until 2035, and expects to produce 40 billion cubic meters (52 billion cubic yards) of gas annually.

Meanwhile, global efforts to tackle environmental challenges continue, with negotiations in Geneva on the world’s first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution facing hurdles over production limits, waste management, and chemical controls.

Arab News via AFP, Maghrebi.org