Peat extraction in Grimsås has once again been halted following a large-scale action by climate activists from Restore Wetlands (Återställ Våtmarker). According to the peat company Neova, the protest has escalated compared to previous years, encompassing blockades, vandalism, and sabotage that may have long-term consequences for production. Meanwhile, the police responded to the scene, filed a report, but subsequently left the area.
Mats Henriksson, Neova’s permit manager, reports that around 40 climate activists entered the extraction site and spread out across the workplace. According to him, staff were forced to stop working shortly after the machines started operating.
He states that activists charged towards the machinery, causing operators to leave their vehicles. Several people then climbed onto the machines and stayed there, while others filled in the drainage ditches around the site.
“On Wednesday, we barely got to run the machines for 45 minutes before the activists rushed at us. There was nothing we could do except get off. That’s when they seize the opportunity to climb onto the tractors,” he told TN.
Since Friday, the machines have reportedly been occupied even before the workday began, which the company says has made it impossible to resume production.
A new method reportedly used during this year’s action is the spreading of weed seeds over large parts of the peat extraction site. Because the top layer of peat is used for cultivation, there is concern that the land could become unusable.
Henriksson says that any contaminated parts of the site would have to be removed, entailing significant costs. He also points out that previous sabotage of the drainage ditches has already caused damage amounting to several hundred thousand kronor.
Rickard Axdorff, Secretary General of Swedish Peat (Svensk Torv), states that this year’s events represent a clear escalation. According to him, weed seeds have not only been spread over production areas but also over finished goods stored next to the site.
He warns that the total economic consequences, in a worst-case scenario, could reach around 100 million kronor and describes the incident as possible industrial sabotage.
Police Arrived and Left
According to Neova, dialogue police have been present during the actions, but company representatives say that the police have limited possibilities to act against the extremists.
In a video clip published by the climate extremist group, you can see police arriving at the scene. According to the group’s own description, police filed a report before leaving, after which the activists continued their action.
Mats Henriksson, permit manager at Neova, says that police have stated they can handle suspicions of unlawful entry, but that they neither have the authority nor the practical means to immediately remove protesters from the area.
“We have been told that the police lack the training or equipment to safely remove people from such heights, so it must be handled by special intervention units,” Mats Henriksson told TN.
Criticism of Funding
In addition to the protests, Swedish Peat criticizes how Restore Wetlands funds its activities. Rickard Axdorff refers to the organization’s own statements that it has received financial support from the American foundation Climate Emergency Fund and has raised money via the crowdfunding platform Chuffed.
He considers it problematic that money is raised for actions that have led to legal consequences, including sabotage, disobedience to law enforcement, and violations of the Protection Act. Therefore, he maintains that the organization should be classified as a high-risk customer under anti-money laundering regulations.
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