Edinburgh Extinction Rebellion activists chain themselves to Holyrood and 'send keys to FM'

Two Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists have locked themselves onto the Scottish Parliament and sent keys to politicians they feel are responsible for climate action.

Three had attempted the stunt however one was stopped in their tracks by officers on site.

The trio were carrying a banner which read 'Stop Carbon Capture Scam' as well as banners reading 'Scotland's Biggest Climate Polluter - Peterhead Gas', and 'Don't Lock Scotland into Fossil Fuels' while the third unsuccessful activist held 'Unlock a Better Energy Future'.

READ MORE: Ten Edinburgh casualties rushed to hospital after horror blaze at block of flats

READ MORE: Edinburgh dog walker 'mortified' as 'reckless' yobs 'aimed fireworks' at public in beauty spot

The keys to unlock the activists have been reportedly delivered to parliament addressed to First Minister John Swinney, Gillian Martin MSP, and Alasdair Allan MSP, along with a letter asking them to bring their keys to personally unlock an activist each.

XR Scotland claim these three MSPs have the responsibility to decide whether to pursue a new gas power station in Peterhead proposed by SSE and Norwegian state-owned Equinor, who claim the facility will utilise carbon capture and storage technology.

Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

John Hardy, 41, community organiser, speaking for XR Scotland, said: "Our protest at the Scottish Parliament is about calling for meaningful action against the climate crisis. Carbon capture is not the solution its made out to be; it is a lifeline for oil and gas companies who wish to continue extracting fossil fuels while cloaking themselves in the illusion of environmental responsibility.

"We cannot allow our future to be dictated by 'magical' technological fixes that merely prolong the fossil fuel era and distract from the urgent need for a rapid and just transition to renewable energy. We demand real solutions, not empty promises. Our lives depend on it."

XR Scotland allege carbon capture is a failed tool and a waste of money which fails to meet C02 carbon capture targets when implemented.

Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

Gary Jack, 62, chartered surveyor and crofter, speaking for XR Scotland, said: "If saving the planet is not a good reason for rejecting the application, economic logic certainly is. Tying Scotland to a further 25 years plus of imported gas gives us no energy security and open to further inflated international gas prices.

"Scotland already produces vast amounts of renewable electricity and will be doubling or trebling that over the next decade. So why would you invest in imported gas infrastructure?"

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.40am on Thursday, 7 November 2024, we were made aware of a group of protestors on Horse Wynd, Edinburgh.

"Officers are currently in attendance.”