Ecologists in Action denounce Repsol's sponsorship of the Madrid Book Fair with a protest in El Retiro
- A dozen activists stand up to the fossil multinational at the world's largest book event in Madrid.
- “I don't believe the Repsol story” has been one of the key trends at the 2024 Book Fair.
A group of activists from Ecologistas en Acción have staged a protest at the Madrid Book Fair (FLM), which is being held in Retiro Park, to denounce Repsol's sponsorship of the event. The action included people dressed as dinosaurs and banners denouncing the power of fossil fuels, highlighting "Repsol's incompatibility with the fight against climate change," according to sources from the organisation.
The 83rd edition of the Madrid Book Fair, which takes place from May 31 to June 16, has had a sustainability plan in place since 2017 to reduce the event’s carbon footprint. However, the organization has faced difficulties due to the lack of electrical power on the Paseo de Coches in El Retiro, which has required the use of diesel generators, responsible for 40-45% of the fair’s carbon footprint, to date.
Repsol, one of the main sponsors of the event, has been heavily criticised by environmentalists, as the company, which is ranked 50th among the most polluting on the planet, has increased its emissions by 16% in 2022, while its profits “grow at an alarming rate”. Despite Repsol claiming to supply renewable fuel for the fair, activists argue that these actions do not offset its negative overall impact.
Una de las activistas presentes, Belén, declara: «Repsol se presenta como una empresa comprometida con la reducción de la huella de carbono, pero la realidad es muy diferente. Solo el 0,8% de su producción de energía es renovable, mientras que el resto proviene de petróleo y gas. Es una burla que pretendan lavar su imagen en un evento cultural como la Feria del Libro de Madrid».
Miguel Ángel Vázquez, a bookseller present at the Fair, says that “it is clear that Repsol has deceived the management of the fair by selling an image that is absolutely false. It is a shame and we are very sorry that an event as full of transformative values as the Book Fair is tainted by this sponsorship.” He adds that, in his opinion, “renewable biofuels should be on the fiction shelf.”
Otro activista, Carlos, añade: «No podemos permitir que una de las empresas más contaminantes del mundo utilice la cultura como plataforma para su greenwashing. Repsol sigue invirtiendo en combustibles fósiles y su presencia aquí es una farsa. Estamos aquí para decirle al público la verdad sobre sus prácticas destructivas».
The Madrid Book Fair organisation has defended the collaboration with Repsol, arguing that its contribution helps reduce the event’s carbon footprint. In a recent statement, the LWF announced the use of renewable fuel provided by Repsol to light the evening activities, claiming a 90% reduction in net CO₂ emissions. However, a report published in August 2023 reveals that major European oil companies, including Repsol, continue to invest in fossil fuels while projecting a false image of commitment to renewable energy. This report points out that greenwashing strategies are designed to divert public attention from the true actions of these companies.
La protesta de hoy es solo una de las muchas que Ecologistas en Acción ha llevado a cabo para denunciar las prácticas de Repsol. Los activistas insisten en que, lejos de abandonar los combustibles fósiles, la empresa está incrementando su producción, lo que es incompatible con los objetivos del Acuerdo de París y las recomendaciones de los científicos que asesoran a Naciones Unidas. Además de las personas disfrazadas de dinosaurios, la protesta incluyó pancartas con mensajes contundentes como «Yo no me creo el cuento de Repsol» y «No al greenwashing en la Feria del Libro».
The action in El Retiro is a wake-up call, the organization says. Ecologists in Action and other environmental groups urge companies in the world of books, publishers, bookstores, distributors and authors to question and re-evaluate their alliances and consider the impact of their decisions on the environment.
Meanwhile, the Madrid Book Fair will continue until June 16, with controversy over its sustainability and Repsol's role as a sponsor looming over it. The protest by Ecologistas en Acción has succeeded in raising awareness of a crucial issue and opening up a debate on the true environmental responsibility of companies that support cultural events.
