On October 28, 2024, climate activists, including members of Extinction Rebellion and TOTALement Down, gathered outside the TotalEnergies headquarters in Brussels to protest against the EACOP project (East African Crude Oil Pipeline). This pipeline, developed by TotalEnergies, is planned to span Uganda and Tanzania to transport crude oil to the Indian Ocean. As the largest heated pipeline in the world, EACOP has raised significant environmental concerns.
During this demonstration, activists organized a ‘die-in,’ symbolizing the human and natural lives threatened by climate change. Other activists caricatured Total executives by pretending to toast with oil in champagne glasses, thus criticizing the impact of their fossil projects on the planet. This staging aimed to illustrate the contradiction between the company’s profits and the climatic consequences of its activities.
A Project Accused of Harming the Environment and Local Communities.
Activists denounce the EACOP for its potential emissions, estimated at over 34 million tons of CO₂ per year, posing a threat to local biodiversity and the livelihoods of surrounding communities. Despite promises of jobs and economic development, the EACOP is accused of causing forced displacements and contributing to the destruction of sensitive ecosystems.
Call for Withdrawal of Financial Support.
As EACOP financing remains uncertain, activists are intensifying their efforts to persuade banks and insurers to withdraw from the project. Their goal is to redirect these investments toward sustainable initiatives, calling for a radical reform of energy priorities. This movement in Brussels is part of a global campaign aimed at exposing the ecological impact of large-scale fossil fuel projects, while seeking to engage in dialogue about more sustainable and equitable solutions.
