13 November 2026, Antalya, Türkiye — Greenpeace International today launched a giant Trojan Horse in Konyaalti Municipality in central Antalya during the UN climate conference COP31, exposing how the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries are using plastic production to prolong dependence on oil and gas and protect their profits.

Created in collaboration with Danish artist Thomas Dambo for Greenpeace’s plastics campaign, the installation stands six metres high and four metres wide and poured out plastic when the trapdoor in its belly opened. It carried a message to world leaders gathering for climate negotiations: plastic is the big oil’s Trojan Horse.

Berk Butan, Social and Economic Systems Campaigner at GP Türkiye, said: “The legend of Troy is a striking story deeply rooted in the ancient history of these lands. Just like in the myth, this horse – appearing as a gift from the outside – hides something within that threatens our lives. The fossil fuel industry is using plastic as an escape hatch.

“Türkiye is promoting its Zero Waste initiative to the world at COP31. However, a comprehensive Zero Waste policy requires placing limits on plastic production and closing borders to other countries’ plastic waste. Türkiye is hosting an historic moment. Now is the time to take a decisive stance and fight for true Zero Waste.”

Behind familiar packaging and everyday products lies an industry that pushes for more plastic production to sustain its profits, threatening to lock in demand for oil and gas and undermine essential climate action. Plastic contributes to the climate crisis throughout its entire life cycle, from fossil fuel extraction and manufacturing to disposal.

Thomas Dambo, the creator of the Trojan Horse installation, said: “I build sculptures exclusively from recycled materials and trash to make people think of how we overproduce. Here at COP31, this Trojan Horse reveals what everyday plastic conceals: its connection to oil and gas. As leaders negotiate our climate future, the fossil fuel industry is expanding through plastics. Working with Greenpeace, I hope this horse sparks curiosity and sends a clear message: a healthier climate means cutting plastic production.”

Jacob Kean-Hammerson, Global Plastics Policy Lead at Greenpeace USA, said: “Plastic is Big Oil’s Trojan Horse – a way to keep profiting from fossil fuels and continued climate emissions and pollution. Governments cannot tackle the climate crisis while allowing unchecked plastic production to threaten our communities, our health and our future. At COP31 and the next Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, leaders must stand up to fossil fuel interests and commit to a just transition away from fossil fuels and cutting plastic production.”

Greenpeace is calling on governments to deliver a strong Global Plastics Treaty that will  cut plastic production at its source, accelerate a just transition away from fossil fuels and support reuse and refill systems. 

Ahead of the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in March 2027, Greenpeace challenged leaders at COP31 to confront the fossil fuel interests behind plastic through the Trojan Horse installation. A healthy climate and a truly Zero Waste future depend on cutting plastic production and putting people and the planet before polluters’ profits.

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Photos and videos of the action can be accessed in the Greenpeace Media Library.

Press Contact:

Angelica Carballo Pago, Global Plastics Campaign Media Lead, Greenpeace USA

angelica.pago@greenpeace.org, +63 917 1124492

Greenpeace International press desk, +31 (0) 20718 2470, pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org (24 hours)

November 12, 2026 – In the wake of the resignation of Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, Greenpeace International reiterates the need to regulate AI and Big Tech.

Avex Li, Greenpeace East Asia’s project lead for AI supply chain campaign, said: “As a dominant giant and a frontrunner in the AI race, Nvidia, alongside other Big Tech players, bears primary responsibility for tech’s environmental, climate, and human toll. Jensen Huang has failed to put climate responsibility at the heart of the company’s growth strategy, to slow down the unchecked expansion of data centres or to prevent its chips from being deployed in unethical applications like automated warfare. Interim CEO Colette Kress and whoever leads Nvidia in the long term must make a clear commitment to genuine decarbonisation and renewable energy investment, and ensure its technology respects human rights.”

Greenpeace East Asia have spent the past two years seeking dialogue with Nvidia, especially after Jensen Huang publicly promised to meet with Greenpeace. To date, Nvidia has not fulfilled that promise. Greenpeace remains committed to engaging directly with any Nvidia CEO regarding emissions and ethical concerns.

Greenpeace International demands that Nvidia serves the public interest by investing substantially in additional renewable energy capacity. The organisation also calls on the company to extend its 100% renewable energy target beyond its own corporate operations to cover its entire manufacturing supply chain by 2030, including suppliers in key production regions in East Asia.

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Contacts: 

Guillaumine Lickel, Deputy Communications Lead , Greenpeace International, +33 6-73-89-48-90 (EMEA), glickel@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

New York, United States — According to Greenpeace Ukraine public Diesel Tanker Tracker, the Agioi Fanendes, a tanker carrying about 40,000 metric tons of Russian diesel, has stopped on its course towards New York and New Jersey. 

In response, John Noël, Senior Strategist, Greenpeace International said: “Since its departure from Russia, this diesel carrying tanker has been on a steady course towards New York/New Jersey, its originally signalled destination. Two days ago, it suddenly stopped and is now holding position some 430 nautical miles off the coast, apparently unsure where to discharge its cargo. Every shipment of Russian diesel helps fuel Russia’s war machine and threatens to undermine international sanctions. No country should accept Russian diesel tankers as part of a corrupt deal with the White House. The diesel deal with Russia must be terminated and instead more effective and comprehensive sanctions must be applied along with measures to limit fossil fuel dependence and achieve true clean energy security.” 

After New Jersey Governor Sherrill drew a hard line and warned ports and businesses about accepting Russian fuel[1], Greenpeace USA sent a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul[2] this week urging her to take the same action as New Jersey Governor Sherrill: declare that the diesel shipments are not welcome, and warn port and terminal operators of the legal risks of accepting it. With the tanker now potentially just days away from the harbour, Greenpeace USA is urging the Governor to act. 

As of early morning EST on 11 November, the ship was at N39.96 / W64.88, some 430 nautical miles straight east from New Jersey.  At its normal speed of 12 knots, it can approach New York Harbour within 36 hours.

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Notes: 

[1] Governor Mikie Sherrill letter to Port and Terminal Operators of New Jersey 

[2] Greenpeace USA letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul 

Background:

The cargo is the first shipment under a controversial deal struck in October by President Trump and President Putin. On 9 October, the US Treasury Department issued a temporary licence allowing otherwise sanctioned Russian diesel to be sold in the United States. The licence conflicts with the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, which the US Congress passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in April 2022 to ban imports of Russian petroleum products, including diesel. The recent diesel agreement between Trump and Putin has been widely condemned as rewarding Russia for its illegal war against Ukraine with the objective of destroying the international sanctions regime against Russia.

The Agioi Fanendes loaded ultra-low-sulfur diesel at Russia’s Baltic port of Primorsk in late October and initially broadcasted the New York area as its destination, with arrival expected in early November. In response, New Jersey Governor Sherrill warned port and terminal operators that handling the fuel could expose them to civil and criminal penalties. No US buyer or receiving terminal has been publicly identified since her warning.

Contacts: 

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

Antalya, Türkiye – Greenpeace has called on leaders arriving for the UN climate talks COP31 to pick up the challenge laid down by UN Secretary-General Guterres and ramp up the urgency of their action with clear and credible commitments and roadmaps to end fossil fuels.

As the Brazil Presidency launched its legacy COP30 roadmap for the transition away from fossil fuels on day two of COP31, Guterres called on leaders to build their own “concrete national roadmaps”.[1] His remarks came as the focus shifted to COP31 Presidents Türkiye and Australia and the contradiction between their reliance on fossil fuels and their actions in Antalya. 

Leaders arriving at COP31 will now need to show they are prepared to act more swiftly after the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said the world is entering a “new age of climate extremes” and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) declared a 1.5°C overshoot is already locked in.[2][3]

Emel Türker Alpay, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Greenpeace Türkiye, said: “A Presidency’s legacy is measured in how they move the world from rhetoric to action. President Kurum has said that cutting fossil fuel use will be a measure of this COP’s success and we will hold the Presidency to that standard!

“Türkiye must ensure the Brazil COP30 roadmap serves as a catalyst for more ambition and urgent action at COP31 and beyond. It also means leading by example at home. Türkiye’s new 2040 energy plan bets on electrification, but keeps coal, oil and gas in the mix with no exit date.

“The Presidency’s electrification target is the right direction, but it is not a goal in itself. It only serves to keep the 1.5°C target alive if it drives renewable-based electrification that actively displaces fossil fuels as part of an equitable, affordable and people-centred transition. 

“A host country with no planned coal phase-out and transitioning away from fossil fuels cannot lead the transition from the sidelines. Türkiye must announce the coal phase-out date and start planning the roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels. Antalya can be the COP where the fossil fuel roadmap starts delivering, if the Presidency chooses to lead.”

Dr Simon Bradshaw, COP31 lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific said: “As leaders meet in Türkiye amidst a global energy shock and soaring temperatures, the stakes have never been higher. The success of COP31 will be judged by whether it delivers real action and momentum to phase out fossil fuels. Brazil laid the ground, it’s now up to Australia to take the baton and run hard. 

“Australia must step up and lead the way through developing a national roadmap away from fossil fuels, and as President of Negotiations, ensure COP31 delivers concrete plans and time-bound action. Australia cannot drop the ball on this, with the looming threat of 1.5°C overshoot and the future of entire nations in the balance.”

Anna Cárcamo, Climate Politics Specialist at Greenpeace Brazil said: “The launch of the COP30 fossil fuels roadmap has helped renew hope, turning the COP28 promise to transition away from fossil fuels into a roadmap the world can act on through continued dialogue, but likewise we cannot waste another moment. COP31 is now the place to decide how and when that transition will take place.

“The COP30 roadmap is already encouraging countries to develop their own national roadmaps, address the phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies and implement tax reforms – measures essential for ensuring an effective, equitable, and well-funded transition. This includes Brazil, which must craft a national roadmap consistent with these recommendations.

“Leaders from several countries called for action from countries starting now and the continuity of implementation of this agenda here at COP31. We need continuous action at this COP and beyond to stay on path to a livable future.”

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Notes:

[1] UN Secretary-General’s remarks at the COP30 roadmap event

[2] WMO State of the Climate 2026

[3] UNEP Limiting Overshoot

Contacts:

Aaron Gray-Block, Greenpeace International, Climate Politics Communications Manager, aaron.gray-block@greenpeace.org

Beyza Kural, Senior Communication Expert, Greenpeace Türkiye, +90 5336 417 123, beyza.kural@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org