On the eve of COP27, greater than 100 environmental activists wearing white suits stormed into an area where private jets are kept at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Saturday and stopped several aircraft from departing by sitting in front of their wheels.
The protest was a part of a day of demonstrations in and across the airport organized by environmental groups Greenpeace and Extinction Riot to protest over greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution brought on by the airport and aviation industry.
No delays to business flights were reported as of the early afternoon.
“We wish fewer flights, more trains and a ban on unnecessary short-haul flights and personal jets,” said Greenpeace Netherlands campaign leader Dewi Zloch.
The environmental group says Schiphol is the most important source of carbon dioxide emissions within the Netherlands, emitting 12 billion kilograms annually.
A whole bunch of other demonstrators in and across the airport’s essential hall carried signs saying “Restrict Aviation” and “More Trains.”
Responding to the protest, Schiphol said it goals to grow to be an emissions-free airport by 2030 and supports targets for the aviation industry to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Military police tasked with airport security said in a press release they’d “made a lot of detentions of individuals who were on airport property without being allowed.”
The Dutch government announced plans in June for a cap on annual passengers on the airport at 440,000, around 11% below 2019 levels, citing air pollution and climate concerns.
Transportation Minister Mark Harbers told parliament last month his office couldn’t control growing private jet traffic, and the federal government is considering whether to incorporate the difficulty in its climate policy.
