Siemens Under Pressure From Protesters Over Adani Contract
Carmichael was approved by the government in June after a near decade-long struggle with regulators and environmental protesters.
(Bloomberg) -- Siemens AG Chief Executive Officer Joe Kaeser said he would look into the company’s contract to deliver a key piece of rail infrastructure to Adani Group’s controversial Carmichael coal project in Australia.
The German industrial giant has been targeted by environmental groups including Extinction Rebellion in Australia and Germany for agreeing to supply rail signaling infrastructure for the line from the mine in Queensland to the state’s coal haulage network. Carmichael has become a lightning rod for climate protesters because it would be the first mine in the Galilee Basin, potentially opening up a new region to coal extraction.
“While we understand why people focus on this one project, we follow a broader approach in order to fight climate change and supply people around the world with affordable and reliable electricity,” Siemens said in a statement announcing the deal on Dec. 11.
Kaeser’s tweet on Sunday indicated a strong backlash to the German firm’s involvement. Other companies have also been targeted by protesters for working with Adani, with engineering consulting firm Aurecon Group Pty. Ltd. cutting ties with the Indian group in August.
“After an extensive competitive process, we are confident that Siemens will provide the signaling systems that will ensure the safety of train drivers and workers who will operate our new rail network in Central Queensland,” an Adani Mining spokeswoman said Tuesday in an email. Siemens Australia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Carmichael was approved by the state government in June after a near decade-long struggle with regulators and environmental protesters. Several projects are seen following in the Galilee if Adani builds infrastructure to connect it to the state’s rail network.
To contact the reporter on this story: James Thornhill in Sydney at jthornhill3@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Ramsey Al-Rikabi at ralrikabi@bloomberg.net, Rob Verdonck, Aaron Clark
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