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Sun 06 11 2022
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Climate activists swarm private jets at Amsterdam airport to protest pollution

by bernt & torsten

Hundreds of climate activists swarmed a private jet section at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Saturday as part of a day of demonstrations on and around the airport.

The activists stopped several planes from taking off by sitting in front of their wheels. Commercial flights were not delayed from the beginning of the afternoon. The environmental groups Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion organized the demonstrations to protest the aviation industry’s pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as local noise pollution, according to the organizations.

Demonstrators also protested in the airport’s main hall, carrying signs reading “Limit aviation” and “More trains,” according to a Reuters report. Military police said in a statement that they had detained several “people who were on airport property without being allowed.”

Greenpeace Netherlands said Schiphol is the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the Netherlands, reportedly emitting more than 12 billion kilograms per year. The airport responded to climate demonstrations by saying it will aim to become emission-free by 2030 and that it supports industry-wide goals to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

The Dutch government is reportedly considering whether to include private jet traffic in its climate policy. The government in June announced a cap of 440,000 people for annual passengers at the airport, citing air pollution and climate concerns.

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