The non-governmental organization Greenpeace has issued virulent criticism of participants, leaders and billionaires attending the World Economic Forum (WEF), which takes place from Monday until Friday in Davos. An official of this association for the protection of the environment qualified “d’hypocrite” the behavior of “rich and powerful” who attended this event to talk about the fight against global warming.
The World Economic Forum’s annual summit is, for Klara Maria Schenk, a Greenpeace Europe official, “an unpleasant masterclass in hypocrisy”, she wrote in a January 13 statement. And to continue: “Europe is experiencing the hottest January days on record and communities around the world are grappling with extreme weather events amplified by the climate crisis. Meanwhile, the rich and powerful are flocking to Davos in ultra-polluting and socially inequitable private jets to discuss climate and inequality behind closed doors.”.
She points out that “Davos has a perfectly adequate train station”more “these people can’t even bother to get there by train for a trip as short as 21 km. Do we really believe these are the people who can solve the problems facing the world?”she asks herself.
53% of flights to Davos less than 750 km
According to a study published by this NGO, the 2022 edition of the World Economic Forum generated a quota of carbon emissions equivalent to those emitted by “around 350,000 cars in a week”. During the week of the previous summit, 1,040 private jets landed at airports around Davos. Of these flights, 53% were short-haul flights and less than 750 kilometres. 38% even traveled less than 500 kilometers or about 310 miles. “Meanwhile, 80% of the world’s people have never flown and are facing extreme heat, more frequent and more dangerous floods and droughts”lit.
Thus, for Klara Maria Schenk, the behavior of the participants in the WEF contradicts the messages communicated on climate change.