Climate activists from Extinction Rebellion remain at Equinor’s oil refinery in Mongstad, western Norway, where they launched a blockade on Monday. Around 200 demonstrators, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, are demanding that the Norwegian government present a plan for phasing out oil production.
Police confirm peaceful overnight protest
Police reported on Tuesday morning that the action has continued peacefully overnight. Some activists entered restricted safety zones, and ten individuals were reported to the police after refusing to move. Authorities stressed that the protest has not led to violent incidents.
Political tensions over Greta Thunberg’s role
The presence of Greta Thunberg has sparked political controversy in Norway. Sylvi Listhaug, leader of the Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet), has called for her expulsion, describing her as “a Swedish gang criminal.” She argued in a debate organised by Bergens Tidende that foreign activists should not interfere with Norway’s oil policies.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre rejected the call, stating that it is up to the police to manage public order. The exchange occurs just weeks before Norway’s municipal elections on 8 September, where energy and climate policies are central issues.
Demands for a Norwegian oil phase-out
Extinction Rebellion insists that Norway, as one of Europe’s major oil producers, must take responsibility by setting out a concrete plan to phase out oil. The Mongstad facility, Norway’s largest refinery, was chosen as a symbolic target of the action.
Critics point to the oil sector’s importance for the economy and employment, but activists argue that a rapid transition is necessary to meet international climate goals. The continued blockade underscores the growing tension between climate commitments and Norway’s oil dependency.
Wider Nordic and European implications
The Mongstad protest feeds into broader debates on fossil fuels and climate transition across Europe. Norway’s position is closely watched in the Nordic region and the EU, where governments face similar challenges in balancing energy security with climate targets. Developments at Mongstad could influence both domestic politics and regional cooperation on climate policy.
