Activists have posted over 600 pieces of satirical artwork around Paris, in protest against the “greenwashing” of the climate change talks.
The group’s work argues that the companies that are sponsoring and linking themselves with the major talks are using it as a form of marketing. It says that the action was intended to point out “the links between advertising, consumerism, fossil fuel dependency and climate change”.
The group said that the action was directly linked to the banning of protest since the Paris attacks. Activists have used a range of novel ways of protesting without mass gatherings, which included placing their shoes in a central square rather than standing there themselves.
The group covered up posters from JC Decaux, one of the world’s biggest outdoor advertising firms and a sponsor of the climate talks. Many of the posters they used to do so mocked other companies, including Air France and Volkswagen.
In a statement, the group explicitly linked their activity with the ban on mass gatherings that has been in place since a state of emergency was declared soon after the Paris attacks.
“"Following the tragic events on 13th November in Paris, the government has chosen to ban the big civilsociety mobilisations - but big business events can continue,” a member of the group said in a statement.
“The multinationals responsible for climate change can keep greenwashing their destructive business models, but the communities directly impacted by them are silenced. It's now more important than ever to call out their lies and speak truth to power.
“We call on people to take to thestreets during the COP21 to confront the fossil fuel industry. We cannot leave the climate talks in the hands of politicians and corporate lobbyists who created this mess in the first place."
Some of the work was created by famous artists, including those that featured in Banksy’s Dismaland exhibition in England earlier this year.
