Companies Must Be Held Accountable for FSO SAFER Oil Transfer: Greenpeace MENA

Greenpeace Celebrates Success in FSO SAFER Operation, Calls for Industry Accountability

In a recent press release, Greenpeace MENA celebrated the successful completion of a three-week operation to drain over a million barrels of oil from the decaying FSO SAFER, a vessel at risk of causing a major oil spill in the Red Sea. The United Nations confirmed that the oil has been safely transferred to another vessel.

Avoiding a Humanitarian and Ecological Crisis

Ghiwa Nakat, the Executive Director of Greenpeace MENA, emphasized the significance of this achievement in avoiding a potential humanitarian and ecological disaster. The operation to drain the oil from the SAFER was a long-awaited, high-risk endeavor, made possible through the collaboration and support of the international community.

Accountability of the Oil Industry

While celebrating this success, Greenpeace MENA also called attention to the lack of accountability exhibited by the oil industry. Nakat criticized the oil companies responsible for the SAFER debacle, highlighting their role in driving the climate crisis and their failure to take responsibility for the historical and future damage caused by their operations.

Greenpeace MENA called for these fossil fuel corporations, which are making immense profits, to be held accountable for the costs associated with their deadly trade, rather than burdening affected communities.

Funding Challenges and the Risk of Improper Disposal

The United Nations has been struggling to secure funds for the SAFER operation, resorting to a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs. However, the oil companies involved have evaded their responsibility for the vessel’s end-of-life and disposal.

Greenpeace MENA expressed concerns that without adequate funding, the SAFER could end up in ship scrapping beaches in South Asia, risking harmful consequences for host countries and communities. Even after the oil is removed, the vessel’s hazardous materials, including asbestos, pose an ongoing hazard. Greenpeace MENA emphasized the importance of adhering to the highest recycling standards to ensure safety and environmental preservation.

The Role of Oil Giants

It was revealed that oil giants such as TotalEnergies, Exxon, OMV, and Occidental have used the SAFER for decades and may be the owners of some of the transferred oil. Despite their substantial profits, these companies have made no efforts to prevent a potential oil spill in the Red Sea.

Environmental and Humanitarian Implications

Greenpeace MENA highlighted the risk that an oil spill or explosion from the SAFER would pose to millions of people living in the region. Such a catastrophe could cause irreparable damage to Red Sea ecosystems and the livelihoods of coastal communities, which are already facing the impacts of war, humanitarian crises in Yemen, and the climate crisis.

While the successful transfer of the oil to a new vessel has significantly reduced this risk, Greenpeace MENA stressed that a final and safe solution must be found to completely remove the oil from Yemeni waters in order to avert the threat.

Editorial: Holding the Oil Industry Accountable

The press release from Greenpeace MENA raises critical issues surrounding the accountability of the oil industry for its actions and the environmental and social costs of its operations. The case of the FSO SAFER serves as a stark reminder of the industry’s failure to take responsibility for the impacts of its activities.

It is unacceptable that oil companies, particularly those reporting staggering profits, are not taking proactive measures to prevent potential disasters such as major oil spills. The refusal to clean up their own mess and contribute to the cost of avoiding and mitigating environmental and humanitarian crises is a clear indication of their disregard for the well-being of affected communities and ecosystems.

The actions of these companies not only demonstrate their lack of corporate responsibility but also perpetuate the cycle of environmental degradation and climate change. The profits generated from the extraction and consumption of fossil fuels must be accompanied by a commitment to rectify the harm caused.

Addressing the Accountability Gap

Efforts to hold the oil industry accountable should go beyond voluntary initiatives and rely on legally binding regulations. Governments, international organizations, and civil society must collaborate to establish clear frameworks that ensure oil companies are liable for the environmental and social consequences of their operations.

One approach is to impose a strict liability regime, where oil companies are held responsible for any damages resulting from their activities. This would not only provide a financial incentive for companies to prioritize safety and environmental protection but also shift the burden of costs away from affected communities.

Additionally, transparency and disclosure requirements should be implemented to enable stakeholders to assess the environmental and social impacts of oil companies. This would empower investors, consumers, and communities to make informed decisions and hold these companies accountable through market forces.

A Transition Towards Sustainable Energy

The FSO SAFER incident underscores the urgent need for a transition away from fossil fuels towards sustainable and renewable energy sources. The dependency on oil and other non-renewable resources is not only environmentally damaging but also exposes communities to significant risks.

Encouraging the development and adoption of clean energy technologies, investing in renewable energy infrastructure, and supporting the growth of sustainable industries can help mitigate the adverse impacts of the fossil fuel industry. Governments and businesses must prioritize the pursuit of a sustainable future, recognizing that the costs of inaction far exceed the investments required for a green transition.

Advice: Individual and Collective Responsibility

As individuals, we can play a role in holding the oil industry accountable by making conscious choices in our daily lives. This can include reducing our reliance on fossil fuels by opting for public transportation, embracing energy-efficient practices, and supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability.

Collectively, we can amplify our voices by advocating for strong regulatory frameworks that demand transparency, accountability, and the integration of sustainable practices in the operations of oil companies. Supporting organizations like Greenpeace MENA, which actively work towards environmental justice, can also contribute to driving change.

Ultimately, it is a collective responsibility to address the accountability gap in the oil industry. By ensuring that companies bear the costs of their actions and invest in sustainable alternatives, we can work towards a more equitable and environmentally conscious future.

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