Greenpeace shuts down Esso Luxembourg petrol pumps
Date: 28-Oct-02
Country: UK
Author: Neil Chatterjee
"None of the 28 Esso stations are operating today in selling petrol," said Louise Fraser from Greenpeace in Luxembourg.
"Police have turned out at some stations but it's been fairly peaceful - we hope to remain the rest of the day," she told Reuters, adding over 600 protestors from 31 countries were taking part.
Drivers from neighbouring countries often buy petrol in Luxembourg, with four of every five cars filling up their tanks registered outside the country, as it has one of the lowest motor fuel tax rates in the European Union.
Greenpeace alleges that intense lobbying by Esso's parent company ExxonMobil contributed to the U.S. pulling out of the U.N. Kyoto Protocol on climate change, as well as to watered down commitments to renewable energies at last month's Earth Summit in Johannesburg.
"We regret that they thought it necessary to undertake these actions, affecting our business and customers, and believe this illegal action will not achieve better environmental protection," said Nelo Emerencia, spokesman for ExxonMobil in the Benelux countries.
He said the company was seeking an injunction from the Luxembourg courts to remove the protesters. Greenpeace had promised Esso they would leave by 1800 GMT, he said.
Exxon Mobil denies it is unconcerned about global warming and says it is taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by improving energy efficiency and working with engine manufacturers.
A StopEsso campaign, backed by Greenpeace, has protested twice at Esso stations across the UK. A poll commissioned by Greenpeace said a significant number of British motorists had stopped buying petrol from Esso stations and switched to other retailers.
However, Esso says the campaign has not affected its retail sales.
A Deutsche Bank report on ExxonMobil last month said: "Being handed a reputation as environmental enemy number one for such a big customer-facing business has to be considered a brand risk."