Greenpeace activists occupy north Jutland oil rig

Environmentalists say they are in for the long haul

Activists from Greenpeace have climbed an oil derrick in Dybvad in northern Jutland. The onshore rig is the location of the country’s first test drilling for shale gas – a process commonly known as fracking.

“Greenpeace activists have crossed the fence of the drilling site in Dybvad,” said Greenpeace. “Four of them then climbed to the top of the derrick, which is just about ready to drill.”

Greenpeace said the activists are “trained climbers”. Local police said that some of the protesters have chained themselves to the rig.

“The activists plan to stay,” said Greenpeace. “This peaceful protest joins the many local demonstrations and blockades that have put Dybvad and shale gas policy in Denmark under scrutiny.”.

Local protests
Many local residents have protested against Frederikshavn Municipality’s decision to allow the drilling.

READ MORE: Activists: Civil disobedience the only way to stop shale gas

In 2010, the former Venstre-led government gave the French oil company Total and Nordsøfonden, the government’s oil exploration arm, permission to drill for and produce shale gas in 40 Danish municipalities.

Kirsten Brosbøl, the environment minister, has since decided that any exploration of shale gas by fracking should no longer be decided by municipalities, but by her ministry.





  • How internationals can benefit from joining trade unions

    How internationals can benefit from joining trade unions

    Being part of a trade union is a long-established norm for Danes. But many internationals do not join unions – instead enduring workers’ rights violations. Find out how joining a union could benefit you, and how to go about it.

  • Internationals in Denmark rarely join a trade union

    Internationals in Denmark rarely join a trade union

    Internationals are overrepresented in the lowest-paid fields of agriculture, transport, cleaning, hotels and restaurants, and construction – industries that classically lack collective agreements. A new analysis from the Workers’ Union’s Business Council suggests that internationals rarely join trade unions – but if they did, it would generate better industry standards.

  • Novo Nordisk overtakes LEGO as the most desirable future workplace amongst university students

    Novo Nordisk overtakes LEGO as the most desirable future workplace amongst university students

    The numbers are especially striking amongst the 3,477 business and economics students polled, of whom 31 percent elected Novo Nordisk as their favorite, compared with 20 percent last year.