On October 3rd, 2020, a national action led by ANV-COP21, Alternatiba and Extinction Rebellion led thousands of environmental activists to protest nationally in 18 French airports to denounce aviation’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to demand a reduction of air traffic and the development of alternative transport such as train rails. In Mérignac-Bordeaux, seven climate activists climbed the airport’s fence (without damaging the fence) and stood at the end of the main runway where they deployed a banner and set off smoke flare.

The seven activists were prosecuted for obstructing the movement of an aircraft, which could not land on the tarmac where they were standing. The activists requested an acquittal and claimed that the seriousness of climate change deemed their action a state of necessity, which justifies an offense when proportionate, just and necessary to warn of a future danger. The Prosecutor requested a suspended fine of 500 euros. 

On March 29, 2020, the Bordeaux Court sentenced the seven activists to the payment of a 500 euros suspended fine. According to a <a href="https://www.sudouest.fr/gironde/merignac/bordeaux-merignac-amendes-avec-sursis-pour-l-irruption-sur-le-tarmac-de-l-aeroport-1837564.php">news article</a>, the activists intend to appeal the decision.

Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport v Climate Activists

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Justice is the ethical and political framework that addresses fairness, including issues of responsibility, rights, and structural inequity.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives