Greta Thunberg and climate activists block Oslo

On Thursday, Greta Thunberg and more than a hundred climate activists blocked Oslo's main avenue and a bank, demanding an end to the Norwegian oil industry. According to police and organizers, the action took place on Karl Johan Avenue, in front of DNB Bank, the country's main financial institution.

Oslo police chief of operations Anders Aas told AFP that " more than 100 activists are in front of DNB's flagship bank ." He said 16 protesters entered the bank before being asked to leave. No arrests have been reported.

The action, organized by the Extinction Rebellion movement, featured climate change icon Greta Thunberg. In a statement, the Reclaim the Future organization, which was also involved in the protest, noted that DNB was " the Scandinavian bank that invests the most money in the rapidly expanding fossil fuel industry ."

Inside the bank, protesters unfurled banners, chanted slogans, and delivered speeches calling for Norway to phase out its oil and gas activities. Rufus Rune, a 23-year-old Swedish activist, said, " We came here from all over Europe to highlight the violence the fossil fuel industry commits every day against all forms of life."

Norway, as Western Europe's largest oil and gas producer, regularly faces criticism for its activities in this sector. The Norwegian government insists that this industry creates jobs and develops expertise, while emphasizing the importance of ensuring a stable energy supply for Europe.

The protest follows a 36-hour action by the same group to blockade the Mongstad oil refinery, Norway's largest, located on the country's southwest coast. The oil company Equinor, which owns the refinery and is majority-owned by the Norwegian state, plans to increase its oil and gas production by more than 10% by 2027 compared to 2024.

Activists continue to push for significant changes to Norwegian energy policy, saying urgent action is needed to combat climate change.

The Emissary