Joe Kaeser, President and CEO of Siemens AG has been under enormous pressure to NOT proceed with his company’s contribution to the construction of the Adani Mine in Australia. Because this is a German company I was especially hopeful he might take a stand and withdraw his company’s support. Unfortunately this is not the case and he’s announced after a meeting with the Managing Board that Siemens will proceed with this contract (which was signed Dec 10th, 2019).
Here is his statement:
LINK: Joe Kaeser on Adani Carmichael project
The following quote is in Mr Kaeser’s statement, from a letter to Mr Kaeser from “the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matthew Canavan” – it makes my stomach turn:
“The Australian people clearly voted to support Adani at the federal election in May 2019, especially in regional Queensland. It would be an insult to the working people of Australia and the growing needs of India to bow to the pressure of anti-Adani protestors.”
My response, shouting in outrage:
In May 2019 Australia hadn’t yet experienced the catastrophic bushfire crisis.
I wonder what Australians think of their elected Minister making such a statement? As a New Zealander I’m truly sickened by the current Australian Federal administration. I’m beyond devastated by their holier than thou, we know better than you, trust us, lying, devious and bullying behaviour, their unfettered loyalty to powerful fossil fuel interests, and their complete lack of accountability or care to ordinary Australians.
It seems Joe Kaeser intends for Siemens to do better in future – hence my title for this post “We’ll Care Next Time” (a response from Nigel that I decided to use for my heading). BUT … what part of #ClimateCrisis does Mr Kaeser and Siemens not understand? Actions and responsible decisions need to happen NOW, not ‘next time’.
— from Mr Kaeser’s statement:
“Generally, and as a consequence of this issue, we will for the first time in Siemens history establish a Sustainability Committee with external members to give environmental concerns even more priority and attention in the future. I will also open the doors to the youth, and the concerns young people have taken to the streets around the world, to sit at the table. This committee will have the power to stop and escalate projects of critical nature to sustainability, no matter whether we are directly or indirectly participating, like in the current example, with our rail infrastructure.”
I took this photo in South Dunedin on Christmas Day 2019, didn’t know if I’d ever use it but it seems perfect to accompany this post. Dunedin, New Zealand.
Abrasive Concepts
Meanwhile Australia burns and this morning I read: Melbourne air quality drops to ‘hazardous’ levels as bushfire smoke lingers over Victoria.
— posted by Liz, photo by Liz; Exploring Colour (2020)
Exploring Colour 
Excellent post about the subject! So disappointing to hear that companies can be so ignorant or disrespectful to the needs and wants of the people. I wrote a similar post with some information about what people can do to protest against Siemens’ involvement with Adani. If interested you can find it here: https://travellingwithoutfootprints.home.blog/2020/01/31/update-whos-involved-with-adani/
The Market Forces website also has great info about what can be done to oppose this contract. Thanks for writing 🙂
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Well I do hope that Kaeser isn’t expecting us to be impressed by the claim that they have already begun to ‘do our part to save our planet’, or that we will be blind to the hypocrisy of him saying that he invites everybody to work together to save it. At that rate, our poor planet will have absolutely no chance…us included.
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No sense of urgency, no sense of the importance that every action counts. So blind!
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It appears that Australia’s leaders, much like the rest of the World, fail to understand and accept that the window of opportunity to address the Climate Crisis is closing. What we are now seeing all around the world are not signs of an impending disaster, but the arrival of the disaster. The outcomes of COP25 were disappointing and yet not unexpected. Until every country moves beyond talking about doing something and actually does something constructive, there will be more and more catastrophic events. The future of the planet is at stake, what other incentive is needed? Thank-you!
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The leadership in Australia are some of the worst of the worst, trying to deny the problem altogether and blocking co-operative collective action. Now they’re accepting climate change plays a major role but are trumpeting “resilience and adaptation” rather than drastically reducing emissions. Despicable.
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Very disappointing, Liz. Money still rules the world.
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German people are very aware of the issues so I’m very disappointed with Siemens response. They may yet regret this – there’ll be a lot of anger I should think.
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Yes, but German business interests are the same as any other nation’s. It will take some forward-thinking individuals and enterprises to say enough is enough, and climate change is happening now, and it’s up to us to change it.
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