Greenpeace activists have been arrested after taking action at a major gas conference this morning in Sydney.

Earlier today, brave activists disrupted the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, dropping a banner with a simple message: Gas Execs Profit. We Pay The Price.

They were also holding banners calling to Tax Gas Profits, making it clear that Australians have had enough.

Following the peaceful protest, two activists were arrested by police.

Watch and share the video to see what’s happening.

Why this matters

Gas corporations are raking in billions in profit from global crises – from Ukraine to Iran – while everyday Australians are left paying the price with higher energy bills and climate damage.

At the same time, these companies continue to avoid paying their fair share of tax.

That’s why Greenpeace activists took action.

A message from the activists

Alex Saurin, Greenpeace activist who dropped the banner, said:

“It feels powerful to take a stand against these gas corporations that have been trampling over the Australian people and our environment for far too long.

Gas giants like ExxonMobil and Santos have spent years blocking renewable energy and dodging fair taxes to protect their record profits. While families struggle to pay the bills and the climate crisis accelerates, these companies continue to demand free right to do whatever they want.

It is beyond time for our leaders to shake off the gas industry’s grip and start taxing these corporations fairly while clearing the path for the renewable energy we desperately need. They need to start making decisions for our people and our planet – not just for us now, but for the generations to come.”

These are ordinary people taking extraordinary action, standing up to an industry that continues to put profits ahead of people and the planet.

Standing up to Big Gas

Today’s arrests are a reminder of what it takes to challenge this industry.

As Greenpeace Campaigner, Solaye Snider, said:

“Gas corporations in Australia are ripping us off. From Ukraine to Iran, these corporations treat global conflict as an opportunity to line their pockets and drill for more gas – but while gas executives profit, we pay the price with more climate pollution, more environmental destruction, and soaring bills for Australian households.

“It’s in Australia’s interest to unhook from volatile, polluting and expensive sources of energy like gas. The fastest path to cheaper power bills and a safer climate is clear: start taxing gas exports properly and speed up the transition toward homegrown renewable energy.

“As long as we are dependent on fossil fuels like gas, our electricity bills and our climate are at the mercy of global instability and greedy corporations who put their profits over people and planet.”

What needs to happen now

Gas is expensive. It’s volatile. And it ties our energy system to global instability. But there is a better way.

The government is already considering introducing a tax on gas corporations before the May budget – now we need to make sure they follow through.

That’s an important first step, but it’s just the beginning.

Renewable energy is already cheaper, more reliable, and made right here in Australia. It’s the fastest path to lower bills, real energy security and a safer climate.

To invest in a better future, we need to:

• properly tax gas corporations and their exports,
• stop expanding gas, and
• speed up the transition to homegrown renewable energy.

This is just the beginning

This action, and the arrests that followed, are part of a growing movement to stand up to Big Gas and challenge the power it holds over our government and society. The Federal Government has a role to play – starting by taxing gas corporations properly and then accelerating the transition to homegrown renewable energy.

Together, we can show just how much support there is for change, and make it impossible for decision-makers to ignore.

What you can do

• Follow along on our social channels.
• Share the video far and wide to show your support.
• Sign the petition to tell Albo to stand up to Big Gas.
• Sign up to find out how you can become a volunteer and take action.

BREAKING: Greenpeace activists arrested after standing up to Big Gas in Sydney

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By Teresa Tomassoni

Just after 3 a.m. on a recent Friday morning, a 4.5-foot-long leatherback sea turtle covered her freshly dug nest with sand, sweeping and packing it into place with steady strokes of her flippers just above the high tide along a remote, rugged stretch of Ecuador’s Pacific coast.

Scientists Deploy First Satellite Tag on a Leatherback Sea Turtle in Ecuador to Better Reveal Gaps in Ocean Protection

The UN’s flagship climate fund has selected five locations for its new regional offices, a move aimed at bringing it physically closer to developing countries and making its finance easier to access.

After fraught discussions during a meeting last week, the board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) decided in a secret vote on Saturday to open regional offices in Panama City, Amman in Jordan, Suva in Fiji, Nairobi in Kenya and Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire. The African office will be split across two locations to better serve the continent with the largest number of countries and projects supported by the fund.

The decision marks a significant shift for the fund, which has operated from its headquarters in Songdo, South Korea, since its launch in 2013.

“This is a landmark moment for [the] GCF,” said the fund’s executive director Mafalda Duarte. “It has taken a lot of work, careful negotiation and persistent advocacy for a model that will bring us closer to the countries, to our partners and the communities we were created to serve”.

‘Less delay, more action’

The new offices are expected to act as the GCF’s front line, working more closely with governments, the private sector and civil society to improve access to climate finance and support the delivery of projects aimed at cutting emissions and strengthening resilience to climate impacts.

Welcoming the decision in a LinkedIn post, Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for the environment and climate change Sivendra Michael described it as “a win for the entire Pacific”, citing “long hours” and “tough negotiations” behind the outcome. “Less delay, more action — real support where it matters most,” he added.

A total of 43 countries applied to host the new offices, with 16 making a final shortlist after the GCF secretariat assessed bids on criteria including cost, connectivity and the ability to attract a “world-class workforce” through quality of life and access to international schools.

Panama emerged as the top-ranked location overall, according to a document seen by Climate Home News, while some selected hosts, including Amman and Abidjan, scored lower than rival candidates in their regions.

Establishing the new hubs is expected to cost an initial $6.5 million, but the fund anticipates these upfront expenses will be offset over time through operational savings, including lower staff and travel costs.

First Palestinian entity approved

The GCF board also accredited the first organisation in Palestine that will be able to directly apply for and access funding.

Created by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, the Municipal Development and Lending Fund supports local infrastructure projects and services. Working with partners, including the World Bank, it is developing projects to help communities cope with escalating climate risks such as drought and extreme heat.

In the West Bank, which is occupied by Israel, just under half of the population lives in areas classified as having high to very high climate exposure, according to a recent study.

The post Green Climate Fund picks locations for five developing country hubs appeared first on Climate Home News.

Green Climate Fund picks locations for five developing country hubs