Since the annual general meeting of Greenpeace last October, when a round of job cutting was announced, there has been speculation about whether the environmental group has lost its way.
Like the oil companies its sees as a target, Greenpeace has had to cut its staff in tine with declining income.
"There was some bad feeling at the time, but we resolved things amicably at the annual meeting," said a Greenpeace spokesman. "Reports of infighting were greatly exaggerated."
Like many oil companies, Greenpeace also has had to update its operations. The latest Greenpeace newsletter says hard hitting direct actions and a confrontational approach to polluters remain major weapons.
SUPPORT POLICY
"But Greenpeace has added a new dimension to campaigning: a solutions agenda giving positive support for new technologies, products, and companies where appropriate," the newsletter said.
The spokesman was reluctant to be too specific about how this new approach would affect Greenpeace's dealings with oil companies: "We haven't worked it out completely, and anyway we like to take people by surprise."
Greenpeace's targets have not changed. The group wants to see oil and gas exploration reduced if not stopped completely. It is concerned about the environmental effect of exploration, particularly in new plays-for example, on the dolphin population of Cardigan Bay, Wales. Global warming is another familiar target.
An idea of how the new "softly, softly" approach from Greenpeace may be used on oil companies is apparent in two recent campaigns.
Against a Danish agricultural chemicals manufacturer, which Greenpeace wanted to stop producing chlorinated pesticides, a combination of old and new tactics was used.
First a production plant was blockaded by Greenpeace, which dumped 8 metric tons of rock in front of the main gates. After 7 days the plant management invited Greenpeace in for talks.
PERSUASION
Once inside, Greenpeace persuaded the company to start a project to develop alternative biological and nonpesticide products. Funding will come from the manufacturer, but Greenpeace will participate in the project.
When the stock of polyvinyl chloride manufacturer EVC International was floated recently on the Amsterdam exchange, Greenpeace talked directly to investment fund managers about environmental concerns over PVC.
"Most fund managers were interested to find out how environmentally controversial the EVC sale was," Greenpeace said. "Those we spoke to were convinced that it would deter the waverers on the offer."
Another newsletter quote, on a campaign against use of chlorinated fluorocarbons in freezers, shows how Greenpeace is prepared to widen its choice of weapons: "Within the bounds of nonviolence, we will do whatever it takes to get results, even if that means becoming refrigeration engineers as well as boat drivers."
Copyright 1994 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
Issue date: 12/26/94
