Extinction Rebellion turns Siemens's London office into 'crime scene' over company providing services to coal mine in Australia

'Crime scene': Extinction Rebellion activists protest outside Siemens's office
Extinction Rebellion
Jacob Jarvis16 January 2020

Extinction Rebellion activists have turned Siemens's London base into a "crime scene" as part of a climate protest.

The group, also known as XR, branded the company "climate criminals", as it hit out at its decision to fulfil its contract to provide signalling for a rail line to a controversial new coal mine being built in Australia.

Dozens of protesters, many dressed in forensic suits, have set up a mock police cordon at the building and a banner is being brandished which reads "climate change kills children".

Lorna Greenwood, an Extinction Rebellion member, said in a statement: “If Siemens supports the Adani coal mine it’ll be a stain on their history forever.

"After the hell on earth what we’re witnessing in Australia, there are no acceptable excuses or justifications for furthering climate and ecological disaster."

The mine is being set up by India's Adani group in the outback and criticism from green groups has mounted over Siemens's decision to support it, with climate change a pressing topic in the nation due to the raging wildfires.

However, its CEO previously said "there is practically no legally and economically responsible way to unwind the contract without neglecting fiduciary duties".

A spokeswoman shared a comment from Joe Kaeser who said: “We need to fulfil our contractual obligations. Also, we will establish an effective Sustainability Board to better manage environmental care in the future.”