Climate Activists Block Helipad at World Economic Forum
DAVOS, Switzerland – The annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, was disrupted by climate activists. Activists spray-painted green on a temporary Amazon store in Davos and briefly blocked the helipad used by invited guests. Protests against fossil fuels and climate change are regularly held whenever the World Economic Forum takes place. Swiss police dispersed two actions carried out as political and business leaders from around the world gathered in the Swiss mountains.
Protesters denounced fossil fuel subsidies by scribbling symbols of Amazon in front of the temporary store of the American company on the main street of Davos with orange paint. They also sprayed the shop windows with green paint. Greenpeace, an environmental organization, briefly blocked the helipad in Davos. In their statement, Greenpeace described this action as a call for international reform that would allow fair taxation on the world’s wealthiest individuals.
“Fair taxes for the wealthiest individuals, to fund environmental protection and fair and sustainable investments for humanity,” Greenpeace said in a statement on Monday (1/20/2025). The police later dispersed 10 protesters who were obstructing two helicopters from landing. “So far, we have blocked 10 to 20 helicopters in an hour and a half. Throughout the day, an estimated hundred helicopters are expected to arrive there,” said Greenpeace activist Clara Thompson.
Political and business leaders often use helicopters to attend the heavily guarded World Economic Forum. One of the discussion themes at the World Economic Forum this week is “protecting the planet Earth.”
“It is crucial for businesses, governments, and civil society to collaborate to find solutions and take decisive actions,” said the World Economic Forum regarding its 2025 program. Greenpeace joined 200 civil society actors, international labor unions, and the majority of countries worldwide supporting the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, currently being negotiated until 2027.
“It is enraging that politicians, CEOs, and powerful elites gather in Davos to endlessly debate global challenges while the world is burning and people struggle to meet basic needs and face worsening climate impacts,” Thompson said. She stated that inequality, climate crisis, and environmental crisis are closely intertwined and the way out is to tax the world’s wealthiest individuals.
“There is no shortage of money to address the climate, environmental, and social crises; it’s just that the money is in the wrong pockets, and it’s time to make the polluting elites pay,” she added.
The actions of the climate activists at the World Economic Forum in Davos shed light on the urgency of addressing climate change and inequality on a global scale. As the world grapples with environmental challenges, the demand for accountability and sustainable solutions grows louder. The clash between economic interests and environmental protection takes center stage, prompting a deeper reflection on the role of the privileged in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
