Climate activists used angle grinders to get into Gardermoen

It was around 5.45am on Wednesday that three activists entered the runway area at Oslo Airport Gardermoen. They held up a banner and tried to disrupt air traffic.

Half an hour later, the police reported that the three activists had been removed.

The action had no consequences for air traffic, says Avinor. The three had sat down in front of a de-icing platform, which is not in use now in the summer, press officer Ylva Celius Trulsen tells NTB.

– We had airport patrol on the scene, who drove away within a few minutes and had the situation under control.

Used angle grinders

It was climate activists from the group “Folk mot fossilmakta” who campaigned. They got onto the runway by cutting a hole in a fence with an angle grinder, according to Trulsen.

– It’s not just about getting through there. We have sensors and cameras on site, so we caught them right away.

The activists were discovered after one minute, and the airport patrol was on the scene after four minutes. The officers had control over the activists until the police came and took them away, says Trulsen.

– It is good to be involved and focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but it is a sin and very serious when it is done in an illegal way. Safety always comes first, and climbing through the airport fence is strictly prohibited. The fence is there for a reason, she says.

Will stop oil extraction

The climate activists want the government to sign a legally binding agreement to stop the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030, as well as provide support and funding for other countries’ work in a quick and fair transition.

– The government needs a push from people like us. Norway must support the non-proliferation of all oil, gas and coal, says Vebjørn Bjelland Berg, who is one of the campaigners, in a press release according to The daily newspaper.

Bjelland Berg is the cousin of climate and environment minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen (Ap), writes TV 2.

He is calling for greater courage in the climate issue from his cousin, as well as Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) and former climate and environment minister, now foreign minister Espen Barth Eide (Ap).

– I understand that his commitment and concern is real. But the position he takes on oil and gas is so dangerous that I intend to oppose him. We can happily stand as allies in the long term. But the way his position is now, means that I intend to continue to oppose him, says Bjelland Berg to the channel.

– Different views

Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen says that he understands that people are impatient, and that he is too.

– It is urgent to cut emissions to limit climate change. We all have a job to do to build on everything that has fortunately happened in climate policy in recent years, says Bjelland Eriksen to TV 2 and The daily newspaper.

– At the same time, Vebjørn and I have different views on how the transition should take place and how we front our opinions. For me, broad support is crucial for the transition to stand up over time. Then we have to find solutions that also take seriously the other major challenges we face as a society.

Actions in ten countries

“People against fossil power” is a newly launched campaign. It identifies itself as part of the A22 network, which internationally mobilizes for peaceful civil disobedience for the climate, writes TV 2.

Climate activists also campaigned in Germany on Wednesday. Five people got into Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany and glued themselves to the asphalt in the area where the planes are parked, writes the news agency DPA. The action led to air traffic being halted.

The activist group Last Generation writes on X that it was members of their group who entered the airport in Cologne. Actions are planned at airports in more than ten countries worldwide, the group writes further.

The action on Wednesday was part of a global protest that demands a halt to the use of fossil fuels by 2030. The group is warning of more actions in the future.

– This was just the beginning today. In the coming weeks, we will repeat this in Germany, Europe and globally, claims activist Ronja Künkler from Last Generation.

Nine activists from the Just Stop Oil group were arrested in Great Britain on Wednesday, suspected of planning to disrupt air traffic at Heathrow.