Greenpeace wants to reverse support to KLM through the courts | Financial

The environmental organization believes that the financial emergency aid is not subject to sufficient conditions to combat climate change.

“This state aid plunges us deeper into the climate crisis and that is contrary to the duty of care that the Dutch government has for its citizens,” said Greenpeace. The organization refers to a previous ruling by the Supreme Court. After years of struggle by the environmental foundation Urgenda, this obliged the Dutch state to do more against the emission of greenhouse gases.

Greenpeace demands that the government come up with another support package for KLM. A maximum permitted amount of CO2 emissions must be agreed per year. “That has to decrease every year, so that the major polluter emits less every year,” says Dewi Zloch of Greenpeace. If the current emergency plan for KLM cannot be adjusted, it will have to be removed completely to make way for a new package.

The cabinet announced in June that it would come to the rescue of KLM with EUR 3.4 billion in direct loans and credit guarantees, because the corona crisis had brought the airline to the brink of collapse. Simultaneously with this financial support, the cabinet came up with all kinds of demands, including a major reorganization among the staff.

The withdrawal of emergency aid by the Netherlands would be a difficult story. Reorganization talks between KLM and the unions are already in full swing. In addition, the French government made its own contribution with EUR 7 billion in aid for sister company Air France.

Greenpeace nevertheless thinks it has a good story in court. “Of course we give ourselves a chance, otherwise we would not do this,” said a spokesman. The government has until 1 October at the latest to respond and enter into discussions with Greenpeace about whether they can meet these requirements.

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