Greenpeace protest at European parliament calls for end to fossil fuels

Activists from Greenpeace Belgium climbed on to the roof of the European parliament in a protest denouncing skyrocketing energy costs and pollution and calling for an end to reliance on fossil fuels.

The environmental organisation held the protest at Place du Luxembourg and the entrance to the European parliament on Solidarność Esplanade on Wednesday.

The protest took place on the eve of the European Council meeting, which is bringing together the leaders of the European Union’s member states in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.

The agenda includes, among other things, Europe’s competitiveness and energy prices. The leaders will discuss measures designed to temporarily alleviate the impact of high prices on citizens and businesses and will also consider the long-term strategy to reduce Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Activists climbed onto the roof of the European parliament to unfurl an 80-metre banner bearing the slogan “Burning gas ruins Europe”. Other banners read “Wars, poverty, climate crisis: burning gas steals our future”.

Greenpeace regularly enlists climbers to display messages on large buildings, bridges or other structures.

About 10 activists were arrested for questioning, but were not detained.

The protest was organised in collaboration with the activist group Extinction Rebellion and proceeded peacefully, without any clashes.

Activists from Extinction Rebellion Belgium unfurled a large “Gas kills” banner inside the European Parliament to conclude the action.