Mossmorran chemical plant chosen as climate change camp

A group of climate change activists will set up camp at a petrochemical site in Fife to raise awareness of “Scotland’s third worst polluter”.

Climate Camp Scotland 2020 will take place at Mossmorran where Shell has its NGL Plant and ExxxonMobil an Ethylene Plant, after it was chosen by 80 activists at a meeting in Glasgow.

Climate Camp Scotland, a team of independent volunteers with strong links to Climate Action Scotland and Extinction Rebellion, will set up camp at the site for five days at some point during June or July.

The group’s chair, James Glen, who attended Saturday’s meeting with two other members of Mossmorran Action Group, said: “We’re very excited that Mossmorran has been chosen as a focus for climate action, and very grateful for the support that this will bring from activists in Scotland and further afield.

“Mossmorran is Scotland’s third worst polluter, an essential link in the manufacture of plastics and a major recipient of fracked gas from the US.

“Despite all the rhetoric about a climate emergency and just transition, the Scottish Government has done nothing about Mossmorran apart from rubber-stamping a £140m investment by Exxon.

“Shell is planning a further 50 years of operation. Mossmorran was selected in part because of the unprecedented engagement of local residents and communities affected by the plant’s operations.

“Last year Fife Council took a historic step in recognising the plight of residents, calling for a full study into impacts, compensation and a just transition for the plant.

“Now the climate movement in Scotland is putting Mossmorran at the top of its agenda. Perhaps this will push the Scottish Government at long last to put the health and well-being of local communities ahead of the profits of Exxon and Shell.”