More than 170 climate activists who had gathered outside the Paris headquarters of Amundi, one of the world’s biggest investment managers and a major TotalEnergies shareholder, were arrested, said the French police, on Friday (May 24).&nbsp;

This comes as shareholders of French oil and gas major TotalEnergies had gathered for their annual meeting where the company’s chief floated the plan to develop new oil fields to meet global demand.&nbsp;

<h2>Over 170 protesters arrested</h2>

The French police said that they arrested 173 people among hundreds who gathered outside the Paris headquarters of Amundi. &nbsp;

The arrests came after members of the climate movement Extinction Rebellion forced their way into Amundi’s office, where the company was holding its annual general meeting (AGM), and damaged the building by drawing graffiti on the walls and smashing some windows, said the police.&nbsp;

The company said eight of its security staff were injured during the altercation and that they would file a complaint and continue to be a major player in responsible investing.

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🔴 ACTION EN COURS 👉 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiquidationTotal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiquidationTotal</a> 
 
Les activistes de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ExtinctionRebellion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ExtinctionRebellion</a> de toute la France se retrouvent sur <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris</a> ce 24 mai alors que se tient l'Assemblée Générale des 100ans de la pétrolière <a href="https://twitter.com/TotalEnergies?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TotalEnergies</a> a.k.a. TOTAL ⛽️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Total100ans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Total100ans</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/100ansdetrop?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#100ansdetrop</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopEACOP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StopEACOP</a> <a href="https://t.co/Glr4Weyuqr">pic.twitter.com/Glr4Weyuqr</a>
— Extinction Rebellion France 🐝🌺 (@xrFrance) <a href="https://twitter.com/xrFrance/status/1793925627671990673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Extinction Rebellion took to X and said that the company “has the power to prevent destructive fossil fuel projects such as the climate bomb EACOP,” referring to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline that TotalEnergies is developing in Uganda and Tanzania.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-use-iron-to-develop-cheaper-safer-sustainable-lithium-ion-batteries-725305">Scientists use iron to develop cheaper, safer, sustainable lithium-ion&nbsp;batteries</a>

Separately, members of Greenpeace unfurled a massive ‘Wanted’ banner and called TotalEnergies chief Patrick Pouyanne “the leader of France’s most polluting company” as the company was also holding its AGM.&nbsp;

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Nos activistes étaient à La Défense pour afficher le patron de l'une des entreprises les plus polluantes du monde à l'occasion de son Assemblée générale. 
 
Vous le reconnaissez ? 👀👇 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/100ansdetrop?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#100ansdetrop</a> <a href="https://t.co/PdWf2R1524">pic.twitter.com/PdWf2R1524</a>
— Greenpeace France (@greenpeacefr) <a href="https://twitter.com/greenpeacefr/status/1794262625108349395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The banner, according to AFP, was quickly removed by the police. Notably, TotalEnergies had moved its AGM to its headquarters in the French capital’s La Defense business district for the first time, after significant disruption in the usual city centre location last year.

According to Pouyanne, more than 200 police personnel were deployed around the building.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Murderous path’</h2>

During the meeting on Friday, most shareholders backed the French oil and gas major’s strategy and its CEO. However, the support has reportedly weakened since last year as some investors called out its insufficient response to climate change.

TotalEnergies’ progress report on sustainability and climate goals for 2030 was approved by 79.7 per cent of the shareholders compared to 88.8 per cent votes it had garnered last year, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

Some investors said they would oppose Pouyanne’s position due to his insufficient attention to climate concerns, but he was reappointed as Chairman and CEO for the duration of his term on the board.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-life-expectancy-is-lowest-in-over-a-decade-due-to-covid-who-725276">&nbsp;World's life expectancy is lowest in over a decade due to Covid: WHO</a>

Pouyanne told shareholders that higher oil prices prompted by insufficient fossil fuel output “would quickly become unbearable”. He noted that the demand for oil was growing in line with the global population.&nbsp;

Therefore, he proposed that new oil fields had to be developed to keep up with the demand.&nbsp;

Climate activists have accused TotalEnergies of contributing to global warming and the destruction of biodiversity through its gas and oil activities.

A member of the Fridays For Future youth climate action group described the decision to construct the EACOP as a “murderous path,” according to Reuters.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

More than 170 climate activists who had gathered outside the Paris headquarters of Amundi, one of the world’s biggest investment managers and a major TotalEnergies shareholder, were arrested, said the French police, on Friday (May 24).

More than 170 climate activists who had gathered outside the Paris headquarters of Amundi, one of the world’s biggest investment managers and a major TotalEnergies shareholder, were arrested, said the French police, on Friday (May 24). This comes as shareholders of French oil and gas major TotalEnergies had gathered for their annual meeting where the company’s chief floated the plan to develop new oil fields to meet global demand. Over 170 protesters arrested The French police said that they arrested 173 people among hundreds who gathered outside the Paris headquarters of Amundi. The arrests came after members of the climate movement Extinction Rebellion forced their way into Amundi’s office, where the company was holding its annual general meeting (AGM), and damaged the building by drawing graffiti on the walls and smashing some windows, said the police. The company said eight of its security staff were injured during the altercation and that they would file a complaint and continue to be a major player in responsible investing. 🔴 ACTION EN COURS 👉 #LiquidationTotal Les activistes de #ExtinctionRebellion de toute la France se retrouvent sur #Paris ce 24 mai alors que se tient l'Assemblée Générale des 100ans de la pétrolière @TotalEnergies a.k.a. TOTAL ⛽️#Total100ans#100ansdetrop#StopEACOP pic.twitter.com/Glr4Weyuqr — Extinction Rebellion France 🐝🌺 (@xrFrance) May 24, 2024 × Extinction Rebellion took to X and said that the company “has the power to prevent destructive fossil fuel projects such as the climate bomb EACOP,” referring to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline that TotalEnergies is developing in Uganda and Tanzania. Also Read | Scientists use iron to develop cheaper, safer, sustainable lithium-ion batteries Separately, members of Greenpeace unfurled a massive ‘Wanted’ banner and called TotalEnergies chief Patrick Pouyanne “the leader of France’s most polluting company” as the company was also holding its AGM. Nos activistes étaient à La Défense pour afficher le patron de l'une des entreprises les plus polluantes du monde à l'occasion de son Assemblée générale. Vous le reconnaissez ? 👀👇 #100ansdetrop pic.twitter.com/PdWf2R1524 — Greenpeace France (@greenpeacefr) May 25, 2024 × The banner, according to AFP, was quickly removed by the police. Notably, TotalEnergies had moved its AGM to its headquarters in the French capital’s La Defense business district for the first time, after significant disruption in the usual city centre location last year. According to Pouyanne, more than 200 police personnel were deployed around the building. ‘Murderous path’ During the meeting on Friday, most shareholders backed the French oil and gas major’s strategy and its CEO. However, the support has reportedly weakened since last year as some investors called out its insufficient response to climate change. TotalEnergies’ progress report on sustainability and climate goals for 2030 was approved by 79.7 per cent of the shareholders compared to 88.8 per cent votes it had garnered last year, reported Reuters. Some investors said they would oppose Pouyanne’s position due to his insufficient attention to climate concerns, but he was reappointed as Chairman and CEO for the duration of his term on the board. Also Read | World's life expectancy is lowest in over a decade due to Covid: WHO Pouyanne told shareholders that higher oil prices prompted by insufficient fossil fuel output “would quickly become unbearable”. He noted that the demand for oil was growing in line with the global population. Therefore, he proposed that new oil fields had to be developed to keep up with the demand. Climate activists have accused TotalEnergies of contributing to global warming and the destruction of biodiversity through its gas and oil activities. A member of the Fridays For Future youth climate action group described the decision to construct the EACOP as a “murderous path,” according to Reuters. (With inputs from agencies)

More than 170 climate activists arrested amid protests targeting TotalEnergies

Police have arrested the Greenpeace climate protesters who closed part of a key oil export waterway for 18 hours by tying themselves to a bridge and dangling over the water.

The closure of one portion of the Houston Ship Channel, which stretches 53 miles (85 km) from its entrance in the Gulf of Mexico to the Port of Houston, blocked tanker ship traffic to and from five major oil refineries as well as chemical and oil-export terminals.

Twelve people were taken into police custody shortly after 5pm, Thursday, according to spokesmen for Greenpeace and the Harris County Sheriff's office. The other 11 who were dangling by ropes and attached to one another were arrested late on Thursday and early Friday, police said.

Sheriff's deputies rappelled down to the 11, cut the ropes tying them to one another and lowered each individually to police boats, spokesman Jason Spencer said.

The protesters timed the event to coincide with the nationally televised debate in Houston by 10 Democratic White House contenders, one member said.

Mike Herbert, 36, a protester reached by phone while he dangled about 100 feet from the bridge, said the group wanted to "force the hand of the political hopefuls to address the elephant in the room: climate change."

The east Texas native who now lives in Maryland said members of the group were experienced climbers and had planned to continue the protest until Friday morning. They risked arrest because political leaders "aren't taking climate change seriously," he said.

Greenpeace spokesman Ryan Schleeter said that the protesters did not resist arrest and were prepared to face whatever charges were be leveled.

"We'll know more about the charges in the morning," Schleeter said. "Although they were prepared to stay for 24 hours, we feel that we have achieved our goal and sent a powerful message."

He said that now is the time for lawmakers to take climate change seriously.

A sheriff's representative was not available early Friday to comment on charges that the protesters face.

Briscoe Cain, a Texas state lawmaker whose district includes part of the ship channel, said the protesters would be the first to be charged under a recently enacted state law that makes disrupting critical infrastructure a crime.

Federal prosecutor Ryan Patrick earlier tweeted that his office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were working with local police. His office did not respond to requests for comment.

Two vessel arrivals and seven departures were disrupted by the protests at mid-afternoon on Thursday, said Steven Nerheim, director of the Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service for Houston-Galveston. The service normally sees 65 ships and 378 towing vessels per day.

The area affected by the closing is near Exxon Mobil Corp's 560,500-barrel-per-day refinery in Baytown, which is 26 miles (42 km) east of Houston.

Operations were normal at the plant on Thursday, said Exxon spokesman Jeremy Eikenberry. The refinery is the fourth-largest in the United States and Exxon's largest in the country.

Other refiners along the channel affected by the shutdown included Valero Energy Corp's 205,000-bpd Houston refinery, LyondellBasell's 263,776-bpd Houston refinery, Chevron Corp's 112,229-bpd Pasadena, Texas, refinery and Royal Dutch Shell Plc's 340,000-bpd Deer Park, Texas, refinery.

Shell and LyondellBasell said operations were not affected. Chevron declined to comment.

All of the refineries are able to ship motor fuels by pipeline, and most have enough crude on hand to operate for several days. J.J. Plunkett, port agent for the Houston Pilots Association, whose members guide ships in and out of the channel, said delays caused by the protest could be cleared within a day.

The channel was closed from Light 102A to Light 104, the Coast Guard said. Ship traffic to Texas City, Texas, where two refineries and several chemical plants are located, was not affected by the closure.

Police have arrested the Greenpeace climate protesters who closed part of a key oil export waterway for 18 hours by tying themselves to a bridge and dangling over the water.

Police have arrested the Greenpeace climate protesters who closed part of a key oil export waterway for 18 hours by tying themselves to a bridge and dangling over the water. The closure of one portion of the Houston Ship Channel, which stretches 53 miles (85 km) from its entrance in the Gulf of Mexico to the Port of Houston, blocked tanker ship traffic to and from five major oil refineries as well as chemical and oil-export terminals. Twelve people were taken into police custody shortly after 5pm, Thursday, according to spokesmen for Greenpeace and the Harris County Sheriff's office. The other 11 who were dangling by ropes and attached to one another were arrested late on Thursday and early Friday, police said. Sheriff's deputies rappelled down to the 11, cut the ropes tying them to one another and lowered each individually to police boats, spokesman Jason Spencer said. The protesters timed the event to coincide with the nationally televised debate in Houston by 10 Democratic White House contenders, one member said. Mike Herbert, 36, a protester reached by phone while he dangled about 100 feet from the bridge, said the group wanted to "force the hand of the political hopefuls to address the elephant in the room: climate change." The east Texas native who now lives in Maryland said members of the group were experienced climbers and had planned to continue the protest until Friday morning. They risked arrest because political leaders "aren't taking climate change seriously," he said. Greenpeace spokesman Ryan Schleeter said that the protesters did not resist arrest and were prepared to face whatever charges were be leveled. "We'll know more about the charges in the morning," Schleeter said. "Although they were prepared to stay for 24 hours, we feel that we have achieved our goal and sent a powerful message." He said that now is the time for lawmakers to take climate change seriously. A sheriff's representative was not available early Friday to comment on charges that the protesters face. Briscoe Cain, a Texas state lawmaker whose district includes part of the ship channel, said the protesters would be the first to be charged under a recently enacted state law that makes disrupting critical infrastructure a crime. Federal prosecutor Ryan Patrick earlier tweeted that his office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were working with local police. His office did not respond to requests for comment. Two vessel arrivals and seven departures were disrupted by the protests at mid-afternoon on Thursday, said Steven Nerheim, director of the Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service for Houston-Galveston. The service normally sees 65 ships and 378 towing vessels per day. The area affected by the closing is near Exxon Mobil Corp's 560,500-barrel-per-day refinery in Baytown, which is 26 miles (42 km) east of Houston. Operations were normal at the plant on Thursday, said Exxon spokesman Jeremy Eikenberry. The refinery is the fourth-largest in the United States and Exxon's largest in the country. Other refiners along the channel affected by the shutdown included Valero Energy Corp's 205,000-bpd Houston refinery, LyondellBasell's 263,776-bpd Houston refinery, Chevron Corp's 112,229-bpd Pasadena, Texas, refinery and Royal Dutch Shell Plc's 340,000-bpd Deer Park, Texas, refinery. Shell and LyondellBasell said operations were not affected. Chevron declined to comment. All of the refineries are able to ship motor fuels by pipeline, and most have enough crude on hand to operate for several days. J.J. Plunkett, port agent for the Houston Pilots Association, whose members guide ships in and out of the channel, said delays caused by the protest could be cleared within a day. The channel was closed from Light 102A to Light 104, the Coast Guard said. Ship traffic to Texas City, Texas, where two refineries and several chemical plants are located, was not affected by the closure.

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More than 170 climate activists arrested amid protests targeting TotalEnergies

Climate protesters arrested at Texas port during US presidential debate