Extinction Rebellion activists have taken their protest to the Scottish Parliament building by padlocking themselves to the structure and sending the keys to John Swinney. The demonstration was aimed at opposing plans for a second gas power station in Peterhead.
In a bold move, two eco demonstrators used bike D-locks to chain themselves to the outer Holyrood building, with a third activist stopped by police. Meanwhile, keys to unlock the protesters were dispatched to the offices of First Minister Swinney, Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin, and Climate Action Minister Alasdair Allan. The activists’ letters requested the trio of SNP MSPs to personally free each protester.
XR Scotland expressed their belief that the decision makers, including John Swinney, Gillian Martin, and Alasdair Allan, will have the final say on whether the controversial new gas plant in Aberdeenshire proceeds. The proposed scheme by Equinor and SSE involves using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to mitigate emissions, but campaigners argue that this technology is untested at scale. Furthermore, analysis by Carbon Tracker suggests that the climate pollution from the new gas power plant could be significantly underestimated.
The protesters displayed banners reading ‘Stop Carbon Capture Scam’ and held placards highlighting Peterhead Gas as Scotland’s biggest climate polluter and urging against further investment in fossil fuels. XR Scotland emphasised the need for real solutions to combat the climate crisis rather than relying on unproven technologies that delay the transition to renewable energy.
John Hardy, a community organiser for XR Scotland, called for meaningful action against the climate emergency and criticised CCS as a lifeline for oil and gas companies. He emphasised the necessity of transitioning rapidly and fairly to renewable energy. Another XR Scotland member, Gary Jack, highlighted the lack of energy security and economic sense in investing in imported gas infrastructure when Scotland is advancing its renewable energy production.
Campaigners previously protested outside SSE’s headquarters over the firm’s plans for a second gas power station at Peterhead, known to be a major source of pollution in Scotland. The proposal for the 910MW gas-burning power station and carbon capture plant awaits approval from Scottish ministers. This move by Extinction Rebellion underscores the ongoing tensions between environmental activists and the authorities in shaping Scotland’s energy future.
In summary, the protest staged by Extinction Rebellion activists at the Scottish Parliament building highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the expansion of gas power stations in Scotland. The demonstrators’ call for meaningful action against the climate crisis and their critique of carbon capture technology underscores the broader discussion on transitioning to renewable energy sources. This protest serves as a stark reminder of the growing pressure on decision makers to prioritise sustainability and environmental responsibility in shaping future energy policies.