A statement from Climáximo reveals that the group’s recent action aimed to highlight what they claim is a corporate attempt to “wash the blood from its hands” by sponsoring social and sporting events.
The protestors staged a sit-in at the finish line of the Half Marathon, holding signs with slogans such as “End Fossil Fuels by 2030!”, “3% of Territory Burned” and “Hottest and Driest Summer in the Last 94 Years”.
The organization criticizes EDP for continuing to operate fossil gas plants, hindering a fair energy transition.
“By 2025, no company can claim ignorance that its activities are directly causing millions of deaths and forced displacements, destroying the basic conditions for life. We need to end fossil fuels by 2030 – it’s an existential measure”, emphasized spokeswoman Matilde Alvim in the statement.
The environmental group argues that “gas is as harmful as oil or coal,” insisting that Portugal should already have 100% renewable and free electricity to stay “within the climate science-defined warming limits.”
“Instead, governments and companies are tethering us to fossil gas as purported ‘transition energy’. There is no transition from fossil fuels to renewables, rather an energy expansion that diversifies profit sources for companies like EDP,” the group stated.
Climáximo also noted that 2024 was “the hottest year on record,” with the global average temperature first exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
When contacted, EDP chose not to comment on the accusations made by Climáximo.
