They have dumped three tonnes of wood pellets in the depot which
supplies coal to the boilers and four have locked themselves to
equipment to stop coal deliveries. They are calling on Fonterra -
the country's third largest coal user and one of our biggest
emitters - to switch to a cleaner fuel source without delay.
They're 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 Fonterra plants (1). Over 40,000
people marched against the plans earlier this month (2).
"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-term wellbeing of the economy and the environment.
"Following Greenpeace's action last November against the lignite
coal mine supplying Fonterra's Edendale milk powder factory,
Fonterra hinted it might look at cleaner alternatives to coal (3).
Nearly six months later vast quantities of coal are still pouring
into Fonterra's boilers," said Boxer.
"The climate cannot wait and we want a clear answer from
Fonterra. Meanwhile the Government needs to forget its 19th century
thinking and show the country it's capable of leading it towards a
modern, smart, clean economy.
"Ignoring the climate crisis and mining coal, including from
National Parks, to burn in Fonterra factories producing low value
milk powder for the commodities market, is nothing short of
criminal."
Boxer said Fonterra's intensification model for dairy was
driving up emissions and undermining New Zealand's clean and green
reputation.
"The international accounting firm KPMG recently questioned the
future of Fonterra's intensive dairy business model (4). Fonterra's
backward vision is not going to add value to the New Zealand
economy."
Wood pellets and other biomass products of the timber industry
are viable alternatives to coal which burn cleaner, release less
carbon dioxide and are renewable, he said.
Today's action is part of an ongoing campaign by Greenpeace to
highlight and stop Fonterra's climate crimes. Over the last 10
months Greenpeace has exposed links between Fonterra's
supplementary palm kernel animal feed from Indonesia and the
devastation of rainforests (5) and highlighted its use of coal to
power its factories, which is driving coal mining and carbon
emissions in New Zealand (6).
Other contacts: Simon Boxer, Greenpeace New Zealand climate campaigner, 021 905 579
Phil Crawford, Greenpeace New Zealand media & communications, 021 22 99 594
VVPR info: For live updates go to http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/
For a Q and A on the activity go to: http://greenpeace.org.nz/FonterraCanterburyQ&A;
Free, high resolution images will be available at: http://greenpeace.gen.nz/media/main.php/v/press/fonterra-climate-crime/ (Multiple images can be added to the 'lightbox' and downloaded as a single zip file).
For video please contact Phil Crawford, Greenpeace New Zealand media & communications, 021 22 99 594
Notes: 1. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/3490688/Coal-from-park-for-local-use-Elder
2. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid;=10642231
3. http://www.fonterra.com/wps/wcm/connect/fonterracom/fonterra.com/our+business/news/media+releases/fonterra+steps+up+efforts+to+reduce+greenhouse+gas+emissions
4. http://www.kpmg.com/NZ/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/Pages/Agribusiness-Agenda.aspx
5. http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/news/fonterra-exposed
6. http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/press/releases/greenpeace-activists-shut-down