It has been revealed that the former LNP government in Queensland was prepared to forgo due diligence to providing taxpayer funding to Indian coal companies.

“Today we have seen another example of the depths the members of the LNP are willing to go for the fossil fuel industry”, said Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter.  

 “This represents a deeply unhealthy relationship between elected officials and fossil fuel companies. It undermines democracy and can lead to the ruin of special places like the Great Barrier Reef.

“It’s hard to fathom how taxpayers’ money could be given to a company to dredge the Reef without checking whether they have the capacity to pay it back.  Leading international banks have said they won’t touch it. Treasury had doubts. But the LNP were pushing ahead.

“Queensland’s disclosure rules mean we don’t know what donations went to the LNP from fossil fuel companies before the last election.

“We know that both big coal and the LNP state government spruiked dubious jobs figures.  We know that coal companies ran adverts in the state election consistent with the LNP government’s position.  We also know that coal companies provide funding to the Queensland Resource Council which runs political campaigns. 

“We know that the Queensland Resources Council ran ads called ‘Reef facts’ which linked to government hosted websites. 

“And now the QRC is pushing for green groups to be silenced by the Federal Government through the House of Representatives Inquiry into the tax deductible status of green groups.

“We want to see all of this investigated with an independent inquiry to get to the bottom of all of this.

“We are troubled that the federal government is by the fossil fuel industry, of the fossil fuel industry and for the fossil fuel industry”, said Mr Ritter. 

For more information please call Siobhan Lyttle 0432 828 004

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Bonn today confirmed its serious concern for the deteriorating health of the Reef and kept the Australian government on probation, giving Australia 18 months to take meaningful action to protect the Reef.

Greenpeace Political Advisor for Australia Pacific, Jess Panegyres said:

“Until the plans for the massive coal mine and port expansion are dropped, it’s impossible to take Australia’s claims that they are protecting the Reef seriously. The government’s Reef 2050 Plan has loopholes so big you can drive coal-carrying ships through them. The plan has effectively carved out a space for massive coal mines and port expansion that will create a highway for coal ships straight through the Reef.”

The position of the Australian Academy of Science is that the Australian Government’s Reef 2050 Plan falls short in protecting the Reef. (1) A poll of six countries showed that a majority of people across the globe are ““outraged” or “concerned” by planned industrial expansion on the Reef”. (2) Eleven international financial institutions have also said that they will not invest in the proposed Carmichael mine and Abbot Point port. (3)

“Tony Abbott is one of the last world leaders who believes in a future of coal and not renewable energy. It's time for Abbott to invest in real, sustainable jobs for the Reef, such as tourism, science, leisure and fishing,” said Panegyres.

The coal industry is in global decline, with orders and prices falling massively and projected to continue to do so. Greenpeace is also warning financial institutions still considering investing in the Carmichael and Abbot Point projects that to do so would be very bad for business.

“The millions of people around the world who love the Reef will stand against any government or bank that supports the coal industry in its destruction of the Reef,” concluded Panegyres.

Notes:
The Greenpeace delegation is in Bonn to highlight the massive threat of climate change and reckless oil and coal development to the Golden Mountains of Altai; Virgin Komi Forests; Natural Complex of Wrangel Island Reserve and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Sites in Russia and Australia.

Jess Panegyres’ statement before the World Heritage Committee can be found here:
https://www.greenpeace.de/sites/www.greenpeace.de/files/150630_great_barrier_reef_greenpeace_statement.pdf

(1) Australian Academy Of Science (2014) Response to the Draft Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan.

(2) http://fightforthereef.org.au/international-poll-urges-unesco-to-defend-the-great-barrier-reef/

(3) Societe Generale, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Citi, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs

Contact Details:

In Bonn:
Jess Panegyres, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Political Advisor:+ 61 424 090 396
Arin de Hoog, Greenpeace Media:+31 646 197 329

In Australia:
Shani Tager, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Reef Campaigner: +61 427 914 070
Sara Holden, Greenpeace Media in Sydney: +61 417 329 504

Staunch environmentalist and star of the blockbuster movie,“The Hulk”, Mark Ruffalo said “I stand with the 85% of Australians who say they want more protection for the Great Barrier Reef – not more coal industry expansion along the Reef” (1)

Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder added ““In our lifetime, half the coral cover of the Great Barrier Reef has gone. Really let that sink in… can you imagine a world without coral?  But we are the generation that can reverse this massive destruction—not only for our oceans health but for all forms of life on this planet, including our own. We must stop coal development on the Great Barrier Reef and we must stop it now.”

A large and diverse group of organisations, scientists, environmentalists and individuals is campaigning to save the Great Barrier Reef. Traditional Owners of the land on which it is proposed that the Carmichael coal mine be built have also been campaigning worldwide to halt the project.

Earlier this week the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO concluded that the health of the Reef was poor and demanded the Australian government report-back in 18 months time on concrete action taken to save the Reef.

 “Greenpeace is honoured and delighted that Mark Ruffalo and Ian Somerhalder are raising their voices for the Reef,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific executive director, David Ritter. “Their strong environmental campaigning on climate change and oceans protection has brought a powerful spotlight onto the threats to our planet and focusing their attention and expertise on the Great Barrier Reef at this critical time is a very welcome boost to the global movement.” Ritter added.

Greenpeace is calling on Tony Abbott to stop trying to prop up a dying coal industry that is killing the Great Barrier Reef and driving climate change; remove port expansion loopholes from the government’s Reef 2050 plan; cancel the Carmichael mega-mine and the Abbot Point coal port expansion and instead invest in a sustainable energy industry that will provide secure jobs and a sustainable future for Queensland workers and the Reef.

In addition Greenpeace is calling on financial institutions who are considering investing in the Carmichael mega-mine and Abbot Point coal port expansion to recognise that they will be investing in the destruction of a World Heritage Area, the world’s largest living thing, and should cancel any further financial involvement in the projects.

Notes:

(1)http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/PageFiles/293385/Greenpeace-ReachTEL-Poll-23%20April-2015.pdf)

The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior is currently sailing the Great Barrier Reef to highlight the ongoing threat from climate change and coal mine and port expansion. 

These methods can avoid needlessly killing marine life like sharks, turtles, small whales and juvenile tuna, according to the 2015 Greenpeace canned tuna ranking.

“Most canned tuna in the world is caught using destructive fishing methods that wantonly destroy marine life and put tuna stocks at risk.  Thanks to consumer pressure that no longer applies in the Australian market,” said Nathaniel Pelle, Greenpeace Australia Pacific oceans campaigner.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific launched the sixth edition of its successful canned tuna guide on World Tuna day, 2 May 2014.  For the first time the brands that have converted to responsible fishing methods outnumber the brands who are yet to convert.

“Tuna’s the most popular seafood product in Australia and with several tuna stocks being in a precarious state, the environmental significance of this dramatic change is hard to overestimate,” said Pelle. “When we first introduced the guide in 2010 most brands couldn’t even tell us what species of tuna was in their cans, let alone where it came from or how it was caught.”

“For those brands to have negotiated directly with the fishing companies to ensure they only source from responsible fishing methods is a dramatic turnaround.”

Australians consume over 40,000 tonnes of canned tuna every year, most of it sourced in the waters of our Pacific Island neighbours.  More than 2.5 million tonnes of tuna is caught in the Pacific every year, which contributes over 70% of the world’s tuna catch.  All tuna species are in decline, with the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) and purse seine nets being a major cause.

FADs attract marine life, including tuna, making the fish easier to catch with giant ‘purse seine’ nets, however this method results in a dramatic increase in catch of juvenile yellowfin and bigeye tuna, and non-tuna species known as bycatch.

All major Australian brands have committed to end the use of FADs with purse seine nets in favour of FAD-free and ‘pole and line’ fishing.

"The best thing Aussie consumers can do is use our canned tuna guide, find a brand that labels its cans correctly, and choose a product that has already switched to using skipjack tuna caught by 'pole and line' or FAD-free fishing methods," said Pelle.

Calling it ‘strangulation by stealth’ Greenpeace India challenged the government's Ministry of Home Affairs to stop using arbitrary penalties and confirm they are silencing Greenpeace India because of its successful campaigns.

It’s the first time in nearly half a century of campaigning that the environmental group faces having one of its national organisations forcibly shut down.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s decision to block Greenpeace India’s domestic bank accounts could lead to not only the loss of 340 employees of the organization but a sudden death for its campaigns on sustainable development, environmental justice and clean, affordable energy.

The Executive Director of Greenpeace India, Samit Aich today addressed his staff to prepare them for the imminent shutdown of the organisation after 14 years in the country. “I just made one of the hardest speeches of my life, but my staff deserve to know the truth. We have one month left to save Greenpeace India from complete shutdown, and to fight the Home Ministry’s indefensible decision to block our domestic accounts,” said Aich.

Following allegations over foreign funding, Greenpeace India has been the subject of a string of penalties imposed by the Indian government, all of which have been overturned by the Delhi High Court. The latest is blocking access to domestic bank accounts funded by donations from over 77,000 Indian citizens.

While Greenpeace India is currently preparing its formal response to this decision as well as a fresh legal challenge, Aich is concerned that the legal process could extend well beyond June 1st - when cash reserves for salaries and office costs will run dry.

Aich continued: “The question here is why are 340 people facing the loss of their jobs? Is it because we talked about pesticide-free tea, air pollution, and a cleaner, fairer future for all Indians?”

Priya Pillai, a senior campaigner with Greenpeace India whose overseas travel ban was overturned by the Delhi High Court in the month of March was also at the meeting. She said:

“I fear for my own future, but what worries me much more is the chilling message that will go out to the rest of Indian civil society and the voiceless people they represent. The Home Minister has gone too far by blocking our domestic bank accounts, which are funded by individual Indian citizens. If Greenpeace India is first, who is next?”

Environmental charities in Australia are also under attack, with some government MPs calling for their charitable tax status to be revoked.

According to Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter, "The Abbott Government is losing the public argument on the Great Barrier Reef, on forests, on climate change and on the wind-back of protections of the natural places that we all love, so they are trying to intimidate environmental charities into silence."

“UNESCO now joins a long line of scientists, banks, organisations and individuals who are deeply worried about the Reef’s health. The Australian government can’t talk about protecting the Reef while aggressively supporting the licensing of mega-mines and expansion of coal ports along the Great Barrier Reef coast,” said Shani Tager, Greenpeace Australia Reef campaigner. 

UNESCO had been relentlessly lobbied by the Australian government, who have continued to insist that the Reef is fine despite that fact that 50% of its coral cover has been destroyed in the last thirty years. Eminent scientists and environmentalists have warned that the Reef is still in danger from numerous threats, including coal mine and port expansions and climate change. 

“This decision has been described by some as a reprieve for the Reef. It is not a reprieve - it is a big, red flag from UNESCO. Preeminent Reef scientists have said we can either have coal expansion or a healthy Reef, but we can’t have both. The Australian people have made it clear they want Reef protection not more coal. UNESCO has now also sent a clear signal that the Abbott government must fully protect the Great Barrier Reef and that means a reprieve from coal expansion,” added Tager. 

Greenpeace is calling on Tony Abbott to stop trying to prop up a dying coal industry that is killing the Great Barrier Reef and driving climate change; remove port expansion loopholes from the Reef 2050 plan; cancel the Carmichael mega-mine and   the Abbot Point coal port expansion and instead invest in a sustainable energy industry that will provide secure jobs and a sustainable future for Queensland workers and the Reef. 

In addition Greenpeace is calling on financial institutions who are considering investing in the Carmichael mega-mine and Abbot Point coal port expansion to recognise that they will be investing in the destruction of a World Heritage Area, the world’s largest living thing, and should cancel any further financial involvement in the projects.

Contact:

Shani Tager (in Brisbane) + 61 427 914 070

Sara Holden, Greenpeace Communications  (in Sydney) +61 417 329 504

Leanne Minshull, Greenpeace International Political Advisor (Amsterdam)  +31 646162025

Tom Lowe, Greenpeace Communication (Amsterdam)  +31 646 16 20 24

David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace said it is clear that fossil fuel companies have too much power and the Coalition Government makes too many decisions that suit the interests of the fossil fuel lobby.

“Everyone else is coming a distant second to the power of the fossil fuel companies under this government.

“Whether you love our beautiful oceans and forests, or depend on a healthy Great Barrier Reef or good groundwater for your business, job or farm, you are losing out to the fossil fuel lobby under this government.

“The fossil fuel industry campaigns to weaken the environmental laws, as was the case with their Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation campaign to demolish federal environmental protections on their activities.

“Australians deserve an explanation as to how the lobbying activities of the fossil fuel industry work. No tax is paid on their political campaigns.

“They have run campaigns inconsistent with science on climate change, to prevent tax reform, and even to initiate parliamentary inquiries.

“It would be useful to understand how this lobbying leads to government subsidies for the industry.

“Australian taxpayers deserve to know what environmental wreckage occurs from fossil fuel company and lobby group donations to political parties.

“The current revolving door between government and the fossil fuel industry in relation to public servants, political staff and politicians must end.

“The Abbott Government is trying to stand over and silence Australians concerned about the environment on behalf of the fossil fuel industry.

“The fossil fuel industry conducts tax-free political campaigns to weaken environment laws and potentially wreck special places like the Great Barrier Reef.

“The government gives the fossil fuel industry special treatment. There’s the budget’s $5 billion dollar slush fund for projects that don’t have financial or public support, such as the Abbot Point dredging on the Great Barrier Reef.  

“Clearly the fossil fuel industry has too much power over the Abbott Government.

“The government simply abolished the mining tax and the carbon price because it suited the interests of their political supporters.

“It’s time we had a proper inquiry into the influence of an industry that is prepared not only to destroy places like the Great Barrier Reef but to undermine our democracy,” said Mr Ritter.  

For more information contact Siobhan Lyttle 0432 828 004

These methods can avoid needlessly killing marine life like sharks, turtles, small whales and juvenile tuna, according to the 2015 Greenpeace canned tuna ranking.

“Most canned tuna in the world is caught using destructive fishing methods that wantonly destroy marine life and put tuna stocks at risk.  Thanks to consumer pressure that no longer applies in the Australian market,” said Nathaniel Pelle, Greenpeace Australia Pacific oceans campaigner.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific launched the sixth edition of its successful canned tuna guide on World Tuna day, 2 May 2014.  For the first time the brands that have converted to responsible fishing methods outnumber the brands who are yet to convert.

“Tuna’s the most popular seafood product in Australia and with several tuna stocks being in a precarious state, the environmental significance of this dramatic change is hard to overestimate,” said Pelle. “When we first introduced the guide in 2010 most brands couldn’t even tell us what species of tuna was in their cans, let alone where it came from or how it was caught.”

“For those brands to have negotiated directly with the fishing companies to ensure they only source from responsible fishing methods is a dramatic turnaround.”

Australians consume over 40,000 tonnes of canned tuna every year, most of it sourced in the waters of our Pacific Island neighbours.  More than 2.5 million tonnes of tuna is caught in the Pacific every year, which contributes over 70% of the world’s tuna catch.  All tuna species are in decline, with the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) and purse seine nets being a major cause.

FADs attract marine life, including tuna, making the fish easier to catch with giant ‘purse seine’ nets, however this method results in a dramatic increase in catch of juvenile yellowfin and bigeye tuna, and non-tuna species known as bycatch.

All major Australian brands have committed to end the use of FADs with purse seine nets in favour of FAD-free and ‘pole and line’ fishing.

"The best thing Aussie consumers can do is use our canned tuna guide, find a brand that labels its cans correctly, and choose a product that has already switched to using skipjack tuna caught by 'pole and line' or FAD-free fishing methods," said Pelle.

Calling it ‘strangulation by stealth’ Greenpeace India challenged the government's Ministry of Home Affairs to stop using arbitrary penalties and confirm they are silencing Greenpeace India because of its successful campaigns.

It’s the first time in nearly half a century of campaigning that the environmental group faces having one of its national organisations forcibly shut down.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s decision to block Greenpeace India’s domestic bank accounts could lead to not only the loss of 340 employees of the organization but a sudden death for its campaigns on sustainable development, environmental justice and clean, affordable energy.

The Executive Director of Greenpeace India, Samit Aich today addressed his staff to prepare them for the imminent shutdown of the organisation after 14 years in the country. “I just made one of the hardest speeches of my life, but my staff deserve to know the truth. We have one month left to save Greenpeace India from complete shutdown, and to fight the Home Ministry’s indefensible decision to block our domestic accounts,” said Aich.

Following allegations over foreign funding, Greenpeace India has been the subject of a string of penalties imposed by the Indian government, all of which have been overturned by the Delhi High Court. The latest is blocking access to domestic bank accounts funded by donations from over 77,000 Indian citizens.

While Greenpeace India is currently preparing its formal response to this decision as well as a fresh legal challenge, Aich is concerned that the legal process could extend well beyond June 1st - when cash reserves for salaries and office costs will run dry.

Aich continued: “The question here is why are 340 people facing the loss of their jobs? Is it because we talked about pesticide-free tea, air pollution, and a cleaner, fairer future for all Indians?”

Priya Pillai, a senior campaigner with Greenpeace India whose overseas travel ban was overturned by the Delhi High Court in the month of March was also at the meeting. She said:

“I fear for my own future, but what worries me much more is the chilling message that will go out to the rest of Indian civil society and the voiceless people they represent. The Home Minister has gone too far by blocking our domestic bank accounts, which are funded by individual Indian citizens. If Greenpeace India is first, who is next?”

Environmental charities in Australia are also under attack, with some government MPs calling for their charitable tax status to be revoked.

According to Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter, "The Abbott Government is losing the public argument on the Great Barrier Reef, on forests, on climate change and on the wind-back of protections of the natural places that we all love, so they are trying to intimidate environmental charities into silence."

“UNESCO now joins a long line of scientists, banks, organisations and individuals who are deeply worried about the Reef’s health. The Australian government can’t talk about protecting the Reef while aggressively supporting the licensing of mega-mines and expansion of coal ports along the Great Barrier Reef coast,” said Shani Tager, Greenpeace Australia Reef campaigner. 

UNESCO had been relentlessly lobbied by the Australian government, who have continued to insist that the Reef is fine despite that fact that 50% of its coral cover has been destroyed in the last thirty years. Eminent scientists and environmentalists have warned that the Reef is still in danger from numerous threats, including coal mine and port expansions and climate change. 

“This decision has been described by some as a reprieve for the Reef. It is not a reprieve - it is a big, red flag from UNESCO. Preeminent Reef scientists have said we can either have coal expansion or a healthy Reef, but we can’t have both. The Australian people have made it clear they want Reef protection not more coal. UNESCO has now also sent a clear signal that the Abbott government must fully protect the Great Barrier Reef and that means a reprieve from coal expansion,” added Tager. 

Greenpeace is calling on Tony Abbott to stop trying to prop up a dying coal industry that is killing the Great Barrier Reef and driving climate change; remove port expansion loopholes from the Reef 2050 plan; cancel the Carmichael mega-mine and   the Abbot Point coal port expansion and instead invest in a sustainable energy industry that will provide secure jobs and a sustainable future for Queensland workers and the Reef. 

In addition Greenpeace is calling on financial institutions who are considering investing in the Carmichael mega-mine and Abbot Point coal port expansion to recognise that they will be investing in the destruction of a World Heritage Area, the world’s largest living thing, and should cancel any further financial involvement in the projects.

Contact:

Shani Tager (in Brisbane) + 61 427 914 070

Sara Holden, Greenpeace Communications  (in Sydney) +61 417 329 504

Leanne Minshull, Greenpeace International Political Advisor (Amsterdam)  +31 646162025

Tom Lowe, Greenpeace Communication (Amsterdam)  +31 646 16 20 24

Head of Programs for Greenpeace, Emma Gibson said the fossil fuel mining industry has too much power over government when the Minister for Agriculture is powerless to stop a mine that he publicly opposes.

“Clearly the coal mining industry has more power over the Abbott Government than the Minister for Agriculture.

 “Once again, the interests of coal mining companies have trumped the interests of Australian communities. 

“Frankly, it is embarrassing that the Minister for Agriculture cannot defend the best soil for farming in the country and the Minister for the Environment can approve a mine that is clearly not in the community’s interests.

“This mine will blow a 35km square hole in the best land for growing food in Australia and will use millions of litres of precious water. 

“What’s more, it will add more pollution, increase global warming and put more pressure on Australia’s ability to grow its own food.

 “This government should be standing with farmers and environment groups to protect our futures, but instead it is protecting the interests of the fossil fuel mining industry.

“Meanwhile, the Government is seeking to blame environment groups in their current House of Representative inquiry by attacking our right to stand up to these crimes against the environment and the community.

 “The inquiry is on behalf of the fossil fuel mining industry. The attack on the environment is for the fossil fuel mining industry. And the abandoning of the interests of farmers and their communities is for the fossil fuel mining industry.

“We are demanding an inquiry into the donations paid by fossil fuel mining companies to the LNP in order to understand the type of influence that prioritises their interests over the interests of the Minister for Agriculture”, said Ms Gibson.  

For more information, contact: Siobhan Lyttle 0432 828 004

“We will follow due process and respond to the MHA’s claims of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act violations and take the matter to court. But the government has also blocked our domestic accounts and is now preventing Indians from supporting our work for clean air, healthy forests, pesticide-free food and a livable environment. This isn't about Greenpeace India's constitutional and unquestionable right to receive funds from abroad, this is about the government trying to shut us down. The government is simply ignoring the concerns of the hundreds of thousands of Indians that support our campaigns, and the 70,000-plus Indians who support us financially.”

Last week, the MHA had temporarily suspended Greenpeace India’s license to receive money from overseas and served it with a show cause notice for alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Greenpeace India gets 70% of its funds from Indians, and the MHA has ordered that these funds be frozen as well. There is no provision in the FCRA Act, 2010 that permits this.

In the five days since news of the FCRA suspension was leaked by the MHA to media, a number of Indians have come forward to pledge their support for the organisation. However, many have seen their attempts to donate to the NGO blocked.

Amnesty International has called the blocking the funds: “… extreme measures taken by the government to disable an organisation for promoting the voices of some of the country’s most powerless people will damage and shame India. Intolerance to dissent will only weaken our society.” 

The proposal will see dredging in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the dumping of dredge spoil next to the Reef and the Caley Valley Wetlands.

“This is the third proposal for Abbot Point and it is still terrible news for the Reef,” says Greenpeace campaigner Shani Tager. “In addition to the direct impacts of dredging and dumping, it will mean more ships through the Reef’s sensitive waters, more coal dust and a higher risk of shipping accidents.”

“The biggest long term threat to the Reef is climate change and this proposal will see more coal shipped through the Reef and burnt, ultimately driving dangerous climate change.”

“If Greg Hunt and the Abbott Government are serious about protecting the Reef - as they keep telling the world they are - they should stop this project in its tracks,” says Tager. “If the Queensland government is serious about protecting the Reef, it shouldn’t be anywhere near this proposal.”

“Scientists are telling us the Reef’s health is already on the brink, and UNESCO is so worried they’re considering putting the Reef on the World Heritage ‘in danger’ list at their next meeting in June”

“When a much-loved Australian national icon is at risk of collapse, Australians expect their governments to pull out all the stops to save it. That is not what is happening. The people of Australia – and our beloved Reef - are being failed by our governments.”

“In a week where China announced a 42% decrease in coal imports for this year, the future of the entire project is in question - why would we risk our Reef when it’s not clear there’s any future demand for the coal?”

For interviews, contact: Elsa Evers+61) 438 204 041 or Shani Tager (+61) 427 914 070

Video footage and photos:http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=19586 
Username: photos  Password: green

The Norwegian parliament has recognised the havoc that coal wreaks on our climate and the environment, as well as on investors' bottom line. That’s a clear message for the Australian government - rather than help fund future coal projects in the Galilee Basin, the federal government should put its money elsewhere.

The Norwegian Oil Fund, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, is one of the best performing investment funds in the world. The decision to divest from coal is a strong warning to anyone thinking of investing in the Carmichael mega-mine and Abbot Point port proposed for Queensland's Galilee Basin."

“With coal on the way out and a coal price in decline, smart investors are getting out. Eleven major global banks have already ruled out investing in the Carmichael mine and it's time for Australia's big four banks to take care of their own investors and the Great Barrier Reef by saying no to this doomed project.”

Contact: Aaron Gray-Block 0437 845 150 or Nikola Casule 0428 769 307 

Aaron Gray-Block had been travelling to India on an Australian passport to take part in a series of meetings with staff and to learn more about Greenpeace India’s current campaigns. 

Commenting on the news, Divya Raghunandan, Programme Director, Greenpeace India said:

“Our colleague has a valid business visa, and yet he was prevented from entering India with no reason given. We support the free movement of people across the world, which is crucial to the work of business as well as charities. Greenpeace International is a global organisation that helps to find solutions to environmental problems. There is absolutely no reason why one of its staff members should be treated in such an arbitrary way, and we expect the Ministry of Home Affairs to offer a full explanation.”

“We are forced to wonder if all international staff of Greenpeace will now be prevented from entering the country? If the Home Minister Rajnath Singh has a stand on this, then we would like him to state it clearly.”

Gray-Block was denied entry, his passport was seized and he was put on a flight to Kuala Lumpur despite having a valid business visa and documents. His passport was returned to him after he landed in Kuala Lumpur. He is now back in Australia. This is not the first time Greenpeace staff from other countries have been denied entry into India.

Greenpeace is a global organisation functioning in more than 50 countries. Being a global organisation Greenpeace believes in the process of international integration of people, thoughts, resources and ideas. Denying entry to a Greenpeace International employee with a valid visa is yet further proof of the extent to which the Indian Government is prepared to go in violating Greenpeace’s right to freedom of expression under international law and under India’s Constitution.

The treatment of Aaron Gray-Block is just the latest in a series of attempts by the Indian government to obstruct the work of the environmental group.

Greenpeace India faces a coordinated crackdown orchestrated by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs. On 9th of April, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh blocked Greenpeace India's bank accounts for which the environmental group had to seek interim relief from the Delhi High Court. Previously, Greenpeace India activist Priya Pillai was prevented from travelling to London to voice her concerns against a multinational coal company trying to destroy one of Asia’s oldest sal wood forests.

The Delhi High Court overturned this action of the Ministry of Home Affairs and after a four month ordeal, Priya Pillai’s ‘offload’ passport stamp was formally expunged in May.

For further information, contact:

Aaron Gray-Block, (Sydney): +61 437 845 150; aaron.gray-block@greenpeace.org

Anindita Datta Chouhdury, Senior Media Officer, Greenpeace India: 9871515804; adattach@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace International Press Desk, phone: +31 (0)20 718 2470, email: pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

The video, featuring Gotye’s hit song “Heart’s A Mess”, urges viewers to “Take Another Look” at the Reef. It contrasts the Reef’s natural beauty with the damage already done and the potential for even more if reckless industrial development, mega mine and coal port expansion continue to be advocated by the Australian government.

“The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living thing and Australia is supposed to be its guardian. The vast majority of Australians want the Reef protected, not more coal expansion,” said Jess Panegyres from Greenpeace Australia Pacific. “Tony Abbott’s government is more interested in propping up a dying coal industry than keeping alive the Great Barrier Reef, and the vital, sustainable tourism industry that depends on it.”

The video launch comes two weeks after UNESCO’s draft report on the health of the Reef warned it is in a poor condition and demanded the Australian government report back in 18 months on implementing real protection for the Reef.  

“As a diver I have seen the Reef changing and we must listen to the warnings from UNESCO and environmental groups like Greenpeace,” said Paddy Colwell, marine biologist and founder of Reef Teach – a Cairns-based education centre, dedicated to showing the wonders of Great Barrier Reef. “A healthy Reef is vital for the tourism industry and the government has admitted that without pressure from environmentalists, they wouldn’t have done anything to stop the on-going destruction.” Colwell added.

UNESCO is due to produce its final report in Bonn in two weeks time.

“The Abbott government is still pushing its Reef 2050 plan on UNESCO, but the plan allows for coal port expansion, which is completely contrary to the advice from UNESCO to not approve any projects that impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the Reef,” said Panegyres.

Greenpeace is calling on Tony Abbott to remove port expansion loopholes from the Reef 2050 plan; cancel the Carmichael mega-mine and the Abbot Point coal port expansion and instead invest in a sustainable energy industry that will provide secure jobs and a sustainable future for Queensland workers, support the goals of the tourism sector and help save the Reef.

In addition Greenpeace is calling on financial institutions who are considering investing in the Carmichael mega-mine and Abbot Point coal port expansion to recognise that they will be investing in the destruction of a World Heritage Area as well as threatening the 70,000 jobs in tourism that rely on a healthy Reef and should cancel any further financial involvement in the projects.

Contacts:

Sara Holden, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Media: +61 417 329 504

Jess Panegyres, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Political Advisor

Staunch environmentalist and hollywood star, Mark Ruffalo said “I stand with the 85% of Australians who say they want more protection for the Great Barrier Reef – not more coal industry expansion along the Reef” (1)

Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder added “In our lifetime, half the coral cover of the Great Barrier Reef has gone. Really let that sink in… can you imagine a world without coral?  But we are the generation that can reverse this massive destruction—not only for our oceans health but for all forms of life on this planet, including our own. We must stop coal development on the Great Barrier Reef and we must stop it now.”

A large and diverse group of organisations, scientists, environmentalists and individuals is campaigning to save the Great Barrier Reef. Traditional Owners of the land on which it is proposed that the Carmichael coal mine be built have also been campaigning worldwide to halt the project.

Earlier this week the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO concluded that the health of the Reef was poor and demanded the Australian government report-back in 18 months time on concrete action taken to save the Reef.

 “Greenpeace is honoured and delighted that Mark Ruffalo and Ian Somerhalder are raising their voices for the Reef,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific executive director, David Ritter. “Their strong environmental campaigning on climate change and oceans protection has brought a powerful spotlight onto the threats to our planet and focusing their attention and expertise on the Great Barrier Reef at this critical time is a very welcome boost to the global movement.” Ritter added.

Greenpeace is calling on Tony Abbott to stop trying to prop up a dying coal industry that is killing the Great Barrier Reef and driving climate change; remove port expansion loopholes from the government’s Reef 2050 plan; cancel the Carmichael mega-mine and the Abbot Point coal port expansion and instead invest in a sustainable energy industry that will provide secure jobs and a sustainable future for Queensland workers and the Reef.

In addition Greenpeace is calling on financial institutions who are considering investing in the Carmichael mega-mine and Abbot Point coal port expansion to recognise that they will be investing in the destruction of a World Heritage Area, the world’s largest living thing, and should cancel any further financial involvement in the projects.

Notes:

(1)http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/PageFiles/293385/Greenpeace-ReachTEL-Poll-23%20April-2015.pdf)

The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior is currently sailing the Great Barrier Reef to highlight the ongoing threat from climate change and coal mine and port expansion. 

Activists held up banners in front of the waiting vessels saying “This is a bush fire”, “This is a flood”, and “This is a heat wave” to highlight the devastating impact of coal-fired climate change. One crew member from Vanuatu, whose island was devastated by Cyclone Pam tagged one of the dozens of waiting vessels “This is a cyclone”.