From a deep sea mining protest in Malaysia to activists occupying an LNG import terminal in Greece here are a few of our favourite images from Greenpeace’s work around the world this week.

Malaysia – Greenpeace Malaysia activists and Malaysian actress Sharifah Sofia hold a banner in front of the deep-sea vessel “Hidden Gem” which is anchored off Brunei Bay in Labuan, Malaysia. The action to take a stand against the deep sea mining industry, an imminent threat that has the potential to cause irreversible damage to our oceans and its ecosystem.

The Hidden Gem, owned by AllSeas and commissioned by mining company, The Metals Company (TMC) in a reckless bid to exploit the ocean floor by mining in international waters. Despite growing global opposition and increasing scientific warnings about the possible long-lasting impacts deep sea mining can result in, TMC is aggressively pushing to bypass international safeguards set by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), to begin operations under outdated agreements pushed forward as part of the Trump administration. 

TMC confirmed in late April that they have submitted the first-ever commercial mining application to the US government, with the company stating they are “ready to go”.

Greece – Greenpeace Greece activists occupy the Alexandroupolis LNG import terminal, located in an on paper protected Natura 2000 area of the Aegean Sea to draw attention to the devastating climate and environmental impacts of fossil gas. As wildfires rage across Greece, activists carried out multiple actions since the morning. Greenpeace is calling for a ban on all new fossil fuel projects in the EU.

Indonesia – A number of Greenpeace Indonesia activists staged an action wearing full firefighting costumes for forest and peatland fires, carrying banners that read ‘Not Yet Free from Haze’, ‘Restore Peatlands, Save the Climate’, and ‘Forests Not Fires’ at the Fountain Roundabout in Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia.

South Africa – ​​Greenpeace Africa activists hung a giant banner with a photo of South African president Cyril Ramaphosa reading ‘End Financial Apartheid #TaxTheSuperRich’, ahead of the G20’s 3rd Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ meeting in Durban. Other activists hold a banner with the portrait of Nelson Mandela.

Greenpeace is demanding the G20 host push ahead on accelerating efforts to impose a wealth tax on the world’s billionaires and to support the UN Tax Convention for new and fair global tax rules.

Jamaica – A team from Greenpeace International fly huge ocean themed kites together with a banner reading “Protect The Deep Sea” outside the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.

With the International Seabed Authority (ISA) currently meeting in the building. Greenpeace is calling on governments at the ISA to stop deep sea mining before it starts and protect the deep sea.

Greenpeace has been a pioneer of photo activism for more than 50 years, and remains committed to bearing witness and exposing environmental injustice through the images we capture.

To see more Greenpeace photos and videos, please visit our Media Library.

Durban, South Africa – Commenting on the outcome of the G20 3rd Finance Ministers and Central Bank Ministerial Meeting, Greenpeace welcomed the G20 ministers’ support for international tax negotiations at the United Nations. However, Ministers did not reference the proposal introduced under Brazil’s G20 presidency last year to tax the ultra-rich.[1]

Fred Njehu, Global Political Lead of the Fair Share campaign, Greenpeace Africa, said: “This show of support for the UN Tax Convention is a welcome step in the right direction for new global tax rules that work for everyone, not just the select few. The G20 must now put words into action and engage constructively in the process as a global multilateral platform that will shape and determine the future of taxation, one rooted in equity, transparency and justice.

“However, the G20 Finance Ministers are squandering an incredible opportunity to end financial apartheid and achieve a breakthrough on wealth taxation that could redistribute much needed funds to tackle the social, economic, environmental and climate polycrisis. Equality is not the accumulation of wealth and power in the hands of a few billionaires. We need to stand up to the power of billionaires who are a threat to our democracies, security and wellbeing.[2]

“Turbulent economic times like these demand global cooperation and a multilateral response. G20 ministers have an historic obligation to help steer the global economy and environment towards safer waters. They must listen to growing public calls and build the political momentum for taxing the super-rich and set new global tax rules that work for all to achieve social and climate justice.”

END

Notes:

[1] New global tax rules in an UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation are being negotiated, from now until 2027. It is a historic opportunity to redistribute power and wealth, and foster tax transparency and accountability. It aims to take control of global tax rules from the rich OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries to place it in the hands of the 193 member states of the United Nations. 

[2] Greenpeace: Ramaphosa, G20 must end financial apartheid with tax on super-rich

Contacts:

Ibrahima Ka Ndoye, International Communications Coordinator, Greenpeace Africa. +221778437172, indoye@greenpeace.org.

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