A high-profile EU summit on renewable hydrogen was interrupted Monday in Brussels as protesters stormed the event, vomiting green fluorescent liquid into sick bags to denounce what they claim is the European Union’s attempt to give fossil fuel companies control over resources in developing nations.
The demonstration targeted Hydrogen Week, co-hosted by the European Commission, which aims to position hydrogen as a clean-burning alternative to natural gas. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promoted a €20 billion plan to produce and import 20 million tons of hydrogen annually, with many projects based in South America and North Africa.
Chrissie Rose, a member of the Action Organising Coalition, called the summit “another attempt to greenwash the image of European oil and gas companies, who depend on clandestine practices, imperial violence, and colonial control to profit.”
The protests were compounded by pro-Palestinian activists opposing the involvement of Italy’s Snam, a sponsor of the event, which part-owns a gas pipeline connecting Israel to Egypt.
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of trade group Hydrogen Europe, also pushed back against allegations of neocolonialism. He emphasized that agreements for hydrogen production involve “the informed consent” of host nations and do not exploit natural resources like sunshine or wind power.
Still, some activists in affected regions remain skeptical. Natalia Lueje from Sustentarse in Chile argued that the EU’s push for cheap hydrogen masks environmental and social sacrifices in her country, stating:
“Chile’s ambition to produce the cheapest hydrogen in the world hides the sacrifice of territories and ecosystems crucial to the sustainability of life in our region and on the planet.”
