Activists: we’ll stay until Fonterra accepts

Activists: we’ll stay until Fonterra accepts challenge

One of the four activists who are locked to equipment in the coal depot at Fonterra’s Clandeboye factory near Timaru says it’s now up to Fonterra to take action to protect the climate and New Zealand’s clean green brand by switching to cleaner fuel options for the plant.

Renee Davenport, from Hamilton, has been in position since 12:30 this afternoon, and says the activists will stay where they are until Fonterra - the country’s third largest coal user and one of our biggest emitters - makes a commitment to address its coal use.

As well as the four activists attached to equipment, Greenpeace has dumped three tonnes of wood pellets in the depot which supplies coal to the boilers. Fonterra has said it’s possible for the plant to run on the pellets (timber biomass).

Fonterra has so far not commented on today's activity.

The four are also highlighting that the Government’s schedule 4 mining plans include mining 3,000 ha of the Paparoa National Park for coal, which is destined for, among other things, Fonterra plants (2). Over 40,000 people marched against the plans earlier this month (3).

“Fonterra’s decision to run its factories on coal rather than clean alternatives epitomizes not only the global climate crisis, but also the very serious economic challenge facing New Zealand,” said Greenpeace Climate Campaigner Simon Boxer. “Both the Government and Fonterra continue to put short-term profit ahead of the long-termwellbein of the economy and the environment.

Local police visited the site during the afternoon.

For live updates of the activity go to http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/

For a Q and A go to: http://greenpeace.org.nz/FonterraCanterburyQ&A

ENDS

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