Finance
Greenpeace activists slip through Davos security to stage climate protest
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 21, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 27, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 21, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 27, 2026
Greenpeace activists staged a protest at the Davos World Economic Forum, urging leaders to tax the super-rich for climate funding. Security intervened quickly.
By Max Schwarz and Yves Herman
DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Greenpeace activists staged a brief climate change protest just outside the main hall of the World Economic Forum's annual meeting on Thursday, as business and political leaders gathered for this week's event in Davos.
Dressed in dark suits and white shirts, three protesters made it into the Congress Centre and scaled a lobby balcony before unfurling a large banner saying: "Tax the super-rich. Fund a just & green future".
Security staff intervened and escorted the protesters away, shortly before the official opening ceremony and a speech by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
A source familiar with the situation said there was no security threat from the protest and that the activists had been badge-holders for the event, working for one of its providers.
Greenpeace activist Clara Thompson later told Reuters that the three were being held in the police station in Davos.
"They had their ways and means, I can't say any more," Thompson said when asked how they had got inside the event.
The WEF said in a statement that it "respects the right to peaceful expression", adding that it was reviewing the matter and placed "the highest priority on ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants and staff".
Tuesday's message to business and political leaders attending the meeting in Switzerland echoed another protest by Greenpeace, during which activists blocked the Davos heliport.
Security is tight for the WEF meeting, where one of the main themes for discussion this week is "safeguarding the planet".
"In an increasingly polarized and fragmented world, continuing to provide a platform for such dialogue has never been more essential," the WEF said in its statement.
Demonstrators protesting over fossil fuel subsidies had also on Monday splattered green paint on the shop front where Amazon has set up a temporary base on the main street.
(Reporting by Max Schwarz; Writing by Alexander Smith; Editing by Leela de Kretser and Alex Richardson)
The main topic is a Greenpeace protest at the Davos World Economic Forum, highlighting climate change issues.
Activists unfurled a banner inside the Congress Centre, calling for taxing the super-rich to fund climate initiatives.
The WEF stated it respects peaceful expression and is reviewing the incident, prioritizing participant safety.
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