Greenpeace set up anti-pollution protest outside Volkswagen HQ
By Georgina Vincent on Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Taking the shape of a mock Doctors clinic, Greenpeace campaigners set up a blockade outside Volkswagen HQ in Milton Keynes to protest against the effects of diesel engine emissions on the public’s health.
Complete with anatomical skeletons, hospital dividers and campaigners dressed in scrubs; the protest called for Volkswagen’s UK boss, Paul Willis, to set up a meeting with the organisation to reveal the company’s plans to combat future car pollution.
Rosie Rogers, clean air campaigner at Greenpeace, said: “Today’s protest has taken a few months to plan. We are still waiting to hear if Paul Willis will come down to meet us today. We’re targeting Volkswagen because it is the biggest producer of diesel cars and puts 1 in 5 diesel cars on UK roads.
“If Volkswagen quit diesel, it would have a big impact on the air our kids breathe. And it would wave an enormous red flag to the entire industry that it’s time to stop diesel car production in its tracks. On top of this, Volkswagen owes angry consumers a real debt because of Dieselgate.”
A statement issued from the car manufacturer stated: “Volkswagen is aware of a protest at its Blakelands premises this morning. The safety of our employees is our principal concern and so the matter is now being handled by the police.”
“The Volkswagen Group has launched the most comprehensive electrification initiative in the automotive industry with Roadmap E. This will bring an additional 80 new electric vehicles to the Volkswagen Group model range by 2025”
Volkswagen have now reportedly agreed to meet with the environmental group as a direct result of the protest.
