12 DAYS OF PROTEST BEGIN OUTSIDE ESSO'S OFFICES IN LONDON
25 November 1997
In the final week before the UN climate summit in Kyoto, Japan, Greenpeace has begun a 12 day protest outside Esso's headquarters in Victoria Street London SW1 to expose the company's attempts to de-rail the international climate negotiations.
The protest will run until the completion of the Heads of Delegation meeting in Kyoto on the 10th December. Esso (Exxon in the US) has been targeted for this spotlight of attention as one of the largest and worst of the oil companies in its approach to climate change.
While both BP and Shell have now joined world governments and admitted that climate change is a real problem about which precautionary action must be taken, Esso publicly cast doubt on climate change science and mounted a massive disinformation campaign to try and scupper the talks.
In October, Lee Raymond, Chief Executive Officer of Esso told a petroleum conference in China that developing countries should "increase not curtail their use of fossil fuels". At the same time he has been encouraging the US not to agree to any emission cuts without a similar commitment from the developing world.
The 12 hour a day, five day a week protest will have a different theme each day, making Esso staff at the offices aware of the company's position on climate change. Greenpeace oil campaigner Robbie Kelman said, "The Climate's real enemy is the oil companies working behind the scenes to derail negotiations in Kyoto - to pit developed against under developed countries. The worst of these is Esso. Stop the oil companies from this insidious, profit driven work and the climate has a chance".
In addition to the presence in London, Greenpeace local campaign groups will also be visiting Esso petrol stations around the country making customers aware of the company's attitude to the climate negotiations.
Members of the public who wish to register their protest about Esso's behaviour will be given a range of options including faxing or writing directly to Esso and contributing their photograph to a protest photo montage being gathered outside the Esso London office.
Robbie Kelman said, "Our message to Esso is simple: you are not operating in the shadows any more, we name you as the villains. Stop putting profits before climate protection".
Notes to Correspondents
- Greenpeace is asking the public to voice their concerns over Esso's position on climate change to the company's Chairman Keith Taylor by writing to him at: Esso UK plc Esso House 96 Victoria Street London SW1 5JW Fax 0171 245 2803
- The Esso protest will run from 0630 to 1900 Monday to Friday
- Media briefing notes on the Kyoto Summit and Esso available on request.
- Information about Kyoto can also be obtained from http://www.greenpeace.org/kyoto
For Further Information
Contact Greenpeace Press Office on 0171 865 8255/6/7/8