Wednesday 24 April 2013

Greenpeace sets ups Arctic oil whistle-blowing site

A website for employees of oil firms working in Arctic drilling who fancy whistle-blowing was unveiled today.

The environmentalists have a history of taking dramatic action against firms operating in the region, with one stunt last year saw several members hang a survival pod off the side of an oil rig in the Arctic, halting drilling for several days.

Now campaign group Greenpeace is encouraging employees and subcontractors of oil companies to put forward “inside information” about operational safety, poor practices and potential breaches of environmental regulations on a new site called ‘Arctic Truth’.

Ben Ayliffe, head of Arctic oil at Greenpeace International said: “We are looking for information relating to oil drilling in the far north, which would usually be kept under wraps. The public needs to know about the incredible risks these companies are taking each and every day they drill in the fragile Arctic.”

Exploration firms have consistently defended their activities and safety record in the icy region. Oil firm Shell would not comment directly on the new site but a spokesperson said: “Shell fully acknowledges the right of Greenpeace to disagree with Shell about drilling in the Arctic. We remain willing to speak with Greenpeace.”