Batangas City, Philippines - climate activists on kayaks and the
iconic Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior have blocked access to a Shell
import terminal near Batangas City in the Philippines.
Along with 29 activists from Greenpeace International and
Greenpeace Southeast Asia, including its Executive Director Yeb
Saño, they closed in on the three jetties from different
locations, affecting the operations of Shell’s facility managing
the import of fossil fuels.
The Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior unfurled a 12m banner
reading “Make Climate Polluters Pay” above a large black hand in
the stop gesture. They are calling on the Philippine’s President
Marcos Jr and world governments to make Shell and other fossil
fuel companies pay for losses and damages experienced by impacted
communities.
The action comes just weeks after Shell launched an intimidation lawsuit
against Greenpeace UK and Greenpeace International - demanding
Greenpeace stop protests at its infrastructure at sea or in port
anywhere in the world, forever, or face a damages claim of up to
$8.6 million and an injunction.
The lawsuit is Shell’s response to a peaceful protest by
Greenpeace International earlier in late January, in which
activists occupied a moving oil
platform to protest against the climate change loss and
damage caused by Shell. Yeb Saño is among the activists
individually named in Shell’s legal claim due to his involvement
in the action earlier this year.
Mr Saño, who previously acted as lead negotiator for the
Philippines at global climate talks, said: “My
hometown Tacloban was destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan ten years ago,
and I’m just one of the millions of Filipinos who have seen
firsthand the damage caused by climate change,” Yeb Saño
said.
"Shell is making billions off the fossil fuels which are
driving the climate crisis, while slashing investment in
renewables and pursuing climate activists like me with
intimidation lawsuits. The fossil fuel companies most
responsible for the climate crisis have become rich by exploiting
people and the planet and it is communities in countries like
ours who have to pay the price. At COP 28, governments should
make them stop drilling and start paying for the damage their
operations cause.”
The blockade was launched to call on world leaders, who are
gathering in Dubai this week for the COP 28 climate talks, to
make fossil companies like Shell pay into the Loss and Damage
Fund. The fund, which was agreed by world leaders last year, aims
to provide financial assistance to nations most vulnerable and
impacted by the effects of climate change.
Recently, there have been initiatives in the Philippines to
create climate justice and accountability mechanisms. These
include the world’s first climate
impacts accountability bill filed in the Philippine congress,
as well as a landmark resolution filed by a
municipality impacted by Super Typhoon Haiyan signifying
their intent to take oil and gas companies to court.
Roselle Redelicia, one of the activists participating in
today’s action, said: “I am here, joining a protest
like this for the first time, to take a stand for my children.
The climate crisis has left us living in fear of the next
catastrophe, and is the biggest threat to our future. By
continuing to destroy our climate, companies like Shell are
robbing us of our dreams and aspirations, our chance at having a
safe, dignified life—and I can no longer allow them to do
this.”
The Rainbow Warrior recently visited climate survivor
communities around the Philippines to amplify their calls for
climate reparations. The ship was in Tacloban City for the 10th
anniversary of Super Typhoon Haiyan to pay
tribute to the courage of survivors, and amplify their demand for
corporate accountability.
Jefferson Chua, Greenpeace Philippines Campaigner,
said: “Communities in countries like the Philippines
are demanding loss and damage financing at COP28 to have a
fighting chance against escalating climate impacts. This
financing must include payments from fossil fuel companies.
Beyond the climate negotiations, governments must ensure access
to climate justice by urgently pursuing all avenues to make these
big polluters pay, such as through legislating corporate
accountability and payment for climate impacts, and by taking
these companies to court.”
