Climate activists across the globe staged protests on Tuesday, targeting Chinese embassies in 10 countries. Their aim? To pressure China against financing the construction of a massive oil pipeline project in East Africa.
The pipeline, known as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), is a joint venture between French energy giant TotalEnergies and Chinese oil company CNOOC. The project has faced fierce opposition from environmentalists due to concerns about its impact on fragile ecosystems and its incompatibility with global climate goals.
Activists point out that TotalEnergies has struggled to secure loans from major international banks due to these environmental concerns. They’re now urging China, particularly state-owned institutions like Sinosure and China Export-Import Bank, to not become the project’s “financier of last resort.”
Protests erupted outside Chinese embassies in countries like France, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, and Denmark. In Paris, activists erected a symbolic wooden pipeline structure in front of the embassy, calling on China to prioritize people over profits.
The protests come at a critical juncture. A decision from Sinosure on insuring the project is expected in July. If approved,it could pave the way for Chinese financial backing and ultimately greenlight the EACOP’s construction.
The potential consequences on local communities and the environment have sparked worries not just among activists but also scientists,who warn that developing new oil fields contradicts efforts to limit global warming.
The protests in Uganda, where drilling began in mid-2023, resulted in the arrest of 33 demonstrators. TotalEnergies,meanwhile, declined to comment on the protests.
