Activist Greta Thunberg calls on Siemens to review Australia coal project

Activists protest in front of the administration building of Siemens Mobility in Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany, on Jan 10, 2020. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

STOCKHOLM (REUTERS) - Climate activist Greta Thunberg has called on German engineering group Siemens AG to review its role in helping to develop a coal mine project in Australia.

"On Monday they (Siemens) will announce their decision. Please help pushing them to make the only right decision. #StopAdani," Thunberg tweeted on Saturday (Jan 11).

Environmental activists are concerned that the continued use of coal will lead to higher emissions of carbon dioxide, a gas which is linked to global warming.

Engineering giant Siemens has said it will decide by Monday on its involvement in the development of the mine which is being built by India's Adani Power, its CEO Joe Kaeser said on Friday.

The Australian government last year approved the construction of a new coal mine in Queensland by Adani that is expected to produce 8-10 million tonnes of thermal coal a year.

Australia is one of the world's largest carbon emitters per capita because of its reliance on coal-fired power plants. The coal from the Adani project is destined for export and would be burned in India.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.