Lysekil, Sweden – Swedish oil company Preem announced today it will cancel its plans to expand their oil refinery Preemraff. Preemraffs expansion has been the single biggest climate issue in Sweden during 2020, with massive protests across the environmental movement. The decision comes two weeks after a range of activities from the Swedish climate movement against the refinery and Greenpeace Sweden activists blocking an oil tanker outside Preem\u2019s refinery for more than 60 hours[1].\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
Isadora Wronski, Head of Greenpeace Sweden said:<\/p>\n\n
\u201cThis is a victory for the climate movement, the Swedish democracy and hope for a sustainable society. It would have been destructive and dangerous to expand fossil fuel operations in the middle of the climate emergency.”<\/p>\n\n
If Preem would have been granted their expansion, emissions would have increased by one million tonnes of CO2 per year and would have made Preemraff Sweden’s single biggest source of emissions. Now, Preem themselves pulled out of the process, citing economical reasons. Preem claims they\u2019ll transition towards a renewable production, which remains to be proved according to Isadora Wronski.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cScience is clear, we need to address both the climate and biodiversity crisis. The days of the combustion technique are counted. We can no longer create energy by burning fossil fuels, forests or animal residuals. We need to reduce our demand for energy and electrify.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
ENDS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n 1. Greenpeace previously blocked Preem\u2019s oil refinery for 62 hours, press release from the blockade is to be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Photo and video can be found here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n A campaign briefing about Preem can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Contacts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Fanny J\u00f6nsson, Communication Officer, Greenpeace Nordic, fanny.jonsson@greenpeace.org<\/a> +46 70 283 30 36<\/p>\n\n Greenpeace International Press Desk, pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org,\u00a0 +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)<\/p>\n\n